The Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 26.78° S 153.15° E

The Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 19 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Reef sea temperature is
20.8°C
0.8° 

The Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


The Reef surf forecast from 18 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 26 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, E swell with 601 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with ESE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Reef this week:

The surf forecast for The Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Reef in the next 16 days are 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 26) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 20th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 9s
Best Surf 1AM (Sun 20th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 9s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sat 26th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
ESE
9
0.8
ESE
9
0.7
ESE
9
0.5
SE
8
0.4
ESE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.1
SE
20
0.8
NNE
4
0.7
NNE
5
0.4
NNE
4
0.7
SE
4
1.3
SE
5
1.4
SE
6
1.4
ESE
6
1.5
ESE
6
1.5
ESE
6
1.6
ESE
7
1.6
E
7
1.9
E
8
1.8
E
8
1.8
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
124
101
67
35
26
17
15
22
22
7
16
87
124
123
164
169
239
236
421
407
428
Wind (km/h)
5
N
20
NNE
10
NW
5
SE
15
NNE
15
NW
10
NNE
25
NNE
15
NNW
15
SE
20
SE
20
SE
25
ESE
30
SE
25
SE
25
SE
25
SE
25
ESE
20
E
25
E
20
E
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
High Tide
2:53PM1.39m
2:47AM0.79m
3:57PM1.44m
4:21AM0.86m
4:45PM1.52m
5:14AM0.97m
5:24PM1.60m
5:53AM1.11m
5:59PM1.68m
6:26AM1.25m
6:32PM1.75m
6:59AM1.40m
7:04PM1.78m
Low Tide
10:24PM0.67m
8:16AM0.52m
11:13PM0.57m
9:32AM0.52m
11:44PM0.47m
10:32AM0.48m
00:10AM0.38m
11:21AM0.42m
00:35AM0.30m
12:04PM0.36m
1:01AM0.24m
12:44PM0.31m
1:28AM0.18m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:41
5:39
5:39
5:37
5:37
5:35
5:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:40
5:42
5:42
5:43
5:43
5:44
5:44
 mm
1
1
1
Temp °C
24
21
19
21
20
18
25
22
19
21
21
20
20
20
19
20
20
19
20
19
19
Feels °C
21
18
16
20
19
17
22
20
17
20
21
18
17
16
15
16
17
16
16
15
16
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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Information about the The Reef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for The Reef 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 can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Reef 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) 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 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.

The Reef is 2 km (1 miles) from Caloundra. If you plan a holiday in Sunshine Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Caloundra. Caloundra has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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