Third Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, looking at the same stretch in good old feet and miles per hour.

We’re working with Third Reef, a reef setup that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the WNW swell. The first week is a long slog of poor conditions before a clean window opens up in the second week.

Starting with Saturday, July 25th. The morning is the pick of the early days. We’ve got a 4ft SSW groundswell with a very long period of 21 seconds, delivering strong energy. The wind is blowing WNW at 9 mph, which is offshore for this spot—that’s a big plus, keeping the surface glassy. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The afternoon is similar but a step down.

From Sunday, July 26th through to Friday, July 31st, it’s a tough stretch. Cross-onshore winds from the WNW and NW at 9 to 19 mph create chop and lump. Swell hangs between 3ft and 5ft, but the period drops from 19 seconds to 14 seconds, and the energy fades. Not worth suiting up.

Saturday, August 1st brings a bump in size: 5ft in the morning, 7ft in the afternoon, but it’s short-period windswell at 7 to 8 seconds. The wind is a fresh cross-onshore from the NNW at 19 mph in the afternoon. Over 8ft, it’s expert-only, and the chop makes it a kite-surfing show rather than a paddle session.

Sunday, August 2nd lightens up on the wind, with a light cross-onshore, but the swell is still 6ft to 7ft from the NW with a short 8-second period. Marginal, but better.

Monday, August 3rd is similar: 7ft to 7ft NW swell, 9 to 10-second period, light cross-onshore wind. Still marginal.

Now for the good stuff. Tuesday, August 4th afternoon is the standout. The morning is nothing special, but the afternoon goes glass—dead calm. We’ve got a 5ft NW swell, 9-second period, and moderate energy. Clean, smooth, and rideable for intermediates.

Wednesday, August 5th morning keeps that glassy feel with a 4ft NW swell, 8-second period. The afternoon gets a light cross-onshore, but the morning is a solid session.

Thursday, August 6th is another winner. Both morning and afternoon are glassy with a 4ft NW swell, 8-second period. Low energy, but the clean conditions make it worthwhile.

Friday, August 7th morning is a bust with cross-onshore wind, but the afternoon turns glassy again with a 4ft NW swell. Good late session.

Saturday, August 8th morning is glassy with a 3ft NW swell, 7-second period. The afternoon jumps to 5ft but gets a light cross-onshore, so hit the morning.

Sunday, August 9th fades out. The morning has a tiny 2ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period and offshore wind. The afternoon sees a 2ft SSW swell, 17-second period, but a light cross-onshore.

Bottom line: the first week is a skip. The best of the run is Tuesday, August 4th afternoon, then Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th afternoon. The good stuff is over a week out, so mark your calendar.

Rusty.

Read more