The Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 26.78° S 153.15° E

The Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's The Reef sea temperature is
20.5° 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 13 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with 2,838 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 14th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 10s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 14th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 10s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sun 19th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, strong winds from the SSE by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds.

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Mon
20
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ESE
8
0.4
SE
10
0.3
ESE
10
0.3
ESE
10
0.2
ESE
10
1
SE
5
1.8
SE
8
2.3
SE
8
3
SE
8
2.5
SE
8
2.5
SE
8
2.4
SE
8
2.4
SE
8
3
SE
9
3
SE
9
3.5
ESE
10
3.5
ESE
10
3.5
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
28
25
19
19
9
47
408
616
970
975
838
657
728
1373
1405
2310
2591
2838
2214
1620
1384
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
WSW
10
NE
20
SW
15
S
25
SSE
20
SSW
35
S
40
S
35
SSE
35
SSE
35
SSE
30
SSE
35
S
35
S
35
S
40
SSE
40
SSE
35
S
35
SSE
35
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
7:42AM1.28m
8:20PM2.03m
8:32AM1.32m
9:07PM2.01m
9:21AM1.36m
9:52PM1.93m
10:10AM1.37m
10:36PM1.80m
10:59AM1.37m
11:19PM1.64m
11:51AM1.36m
00:01AM1.47m
12:48PM1.34m
Low Tide
2:10AM0.28m
1:32PM0.09m
2:57AM0.24m
2:24PM0.09m
3:42AM0.23m
3:14PM0.13m
4:25AM0.24m
4:05PM0.20m
5:07AM0.27m
4:56PM0.31m
5:49AM0.32m
5:50PM0.44m
6:31AM0.36m
6:50PM0.56m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:10
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
 mm
1
2
2
3
2
1
2
2
2
3
1
Temp °C
18
20
20
17
17
17
16
18
17
18
19
19
18
18
19
18
19
18
18
19
19
Feels °C
16
18
18
13
12
12
10
10
9
11
12
12
12
12
13
11
12
11
11
13
13
  • 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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