
Surf Forecasts:
The Reef (Culebra) surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 7s period, E swell with 523 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Reef (Culebra) this week:
The most powerful waves expected at The Reef (Culebra) in the next 16 days are 2.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef (Culebra) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer around Culebra.
Right off the bat, I’ve gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days are looking pretty grim for The Reef (Culebra). Every single time slot in the forecast comes back as "poor surf conditions," so there’s no standout session to get excited about. The first real chance of anything happens on the morning of Thursday 13 August, but even that's a letdown.
The overall pattern is a lot of cross-shore wind, often a fresh breeze at 18-25 mph, and mostly small, weak swell. The wait for anything decent stretches out for days at a time, with no real improvement in sight. The water temp is sitting at 84°, which is about normal for the time of year, so at least you won’t need a hood.
Let’s break it down day by day. Wednesday 12 August kicks off with a risk of thunderstorms, an ESE wind at 18 mph, and a tiny 1 ft NE swell at 8 seconds. Combined energy is a measly 12 – that’s barely a ripple. Nothing to get out of bed for.
Thursday 13 August morning sees a bit more height – 6 ft from the east – but the period is a short 6 seconds, so it’s all chop. The wind is a strong 25 mph. The afternoon drops to a 0.3 ft NE swell with a 13-second period, but the energy is still just 13. Not worth it.
Friday 14 August has a 6 ft east swell in the morning, period 7 seconds, and energy hits 397 (moderate). But the wind is cross-shore at 22 mph, creating lumpy conditions. The afternoon is similar at 5 ft and 18 mph. It’s just not clean.
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August keep the same story: 6 ft to 8 ft east swell, but with cross-shore or cross-on winds at 22-25 mph. The energy peaks at 545 on Sunday morning, which is strong, but the wind is terrible. The reef will be a mess of chop and cross-chop. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Monday 17 August improves slightly – cross-off winds from the SE at 15-18 mph, but the swell drops to 1 ft in the morning and 3 ft in the afternoon. Energy is only 121 in the arvo. It’s clean, but tiny.
From Tuesday 18 August right through to Thursday 27 August, it’s a parade of small swells, mostly under 3 ft, with periods all over the place. A few clean moments on Tuesday 26 August, with a gentle 9 mph SSE wind and 3 ft east swell, but the energy is only 85. That’s weak.
The only session that comes close to being worth a mention is Saturday 22 August morning: 5 ft ENE swell, 5-second period, and a cross-off wind at 18 mph. The energy is 108 (moderate) and it’s clean. But the period is so short it’s just bumpy. Not a standout.
In short, there’s no real highlight here. The reef is exposed to the north, and the optimum swell is from the north, but the east wind and small swell just aren’t lining up. You’d be better off waiting for a better forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 27°C on Thu morning). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 27°C on Sun night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 6 | NNE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | ENE 9 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | E 8 | N 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 6 | 7 | 225 | 7 | 348 | 381 | 299 | 279 | 366 | 365 | 352 | 502 | 507 | 20 | 20 | 111 | 9 | 9 | 64 | 5 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:04PM0.42m | 8:30AM0.27m | 9:42PM0.41m | 9:32AM0.30m | 10:17PM0.37m | 10:30AM0.32m | 10:48PM0.34m | 11:28AM0.34m | 11:17PM0.30m | 12:24PM0.34m | 11:44PM0.27m | 1:22PM0.34m | 00:10AM0.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:52PM-0.02m | 3:41AM0.12m | 2:50PM0.01m | 4:13AM0.11m | 3:47PM0.05m | 4:45AM0.09m | 4:45PM0.09m | 5:16AM0.08m | 5:44PM0.12m | 5:47AM0.06m | 6:47PM0.16m | 6:20AM0.05m | 7:55PM0.17m | ||||||||
6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:49 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | |
mm | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 6 | 5 | 9 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 12 | NE 11 | NNE 11 | NNE 10 | NE 10 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | ENE 9 | NNE 10 | ESE 8 | SSE 6 | N 8 |
11 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 25 | 26 | 31 | 47 | 43 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 111 | 9 | 7 | 23 | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | NE 8 | — | N 14 | NE 13 | NE 9 | N 9 | NE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 10 | ESE 9 | — | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NE 9 |
1 | 3 | — | 4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 35 | — | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | NE 11 | — | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 10 | — | N 9 | N 8 | NE 9 |
1 | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | 2 | 5 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 8 | E 6 |
74 | 101 | 139 | 225 | 301 | 348 | 381 | 299 | 279 | 366 | 365 | 352 | 502 | 507 | 402 | 173 | 75 | 178 | 113 | 64 | 81 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 193 | 941 | 79 | 878 | 521 | 520 | 196 | 878 | 487 | 204 | 796 | 452 | 584 | 663 | 487 | 74 | 30 | 68 | 79 | 79 | 68 |
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Information about the The Reef (Culebra) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Reef (Culebra) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Reef (Culebra) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Reef (Culebra) surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (The Reef (Culebra)) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for The Reef (Culebra) may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.











