Third Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a flat spell up ahead. The first surf we can really talk about doesn’t show up until Thursday the 23rd of July, and even then, it’s a pretty grim start. For the first few days, the swell is small and the wind is a pain. The combined swell energy is moderate to weak (340), and the wind is cross-onshore most of the time, messing up any chance of clean waves. Honestly, it’s a tough watch.

We get a bit of a pulse on Friday the 24th of July with a SSW swell that’s got some serious period to it – 24 seconds of groundswell. The height’s only around 2ft to 3ft, but the energy jumps up (655 to 1337), which is a sign of some proper juice. However, the wind stays cross-onshore, so it’s going to be bumpy. The swell direction is SSW, but this spot really wants it from the WNW, so it’s not going to line up perfectly. Not the best.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of July see the swell a little bigger, around 4ft to 4ft, but still with that cross-onshore wind. The period drops from 21 seconds to 19 seconds, still solid groundswell, but the consistency is poor. The energy is strong (1302, 1228, 1209), but the wind is a buzzkill. It’s washout territory.

The whole first week is a write-off, really. From Monday the 27th of July through to Thursday the 30th of July, the wind picks up even more, gusting to 30 km/h, and the surf quality stays poor. The swell is there, between 3ft and 4ft, but it’s choppy, lumpy, and cross-onshore. It’s one of those stretches where you’d be better off checking the kite forecast.

Now, there’s a glimmer of hope if you’re willing to wait. Wednesday the 5th of August and Thursday the 6th of August start to look a bit more interesting. The swell builds a bit, hitting 6ft to 7ft from the NW, and the period settles at 10 seconds. That’s a decent swell, but it’s getting up there in size – over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, and if it hits 8ft, it’s expert-only. The real standout, though, is Thursday the 6th of August in the afternoon. For the first time in the whole forecast, we get glassy conditions. The wind is from the SW at just 5 km/h, and it’s labeled “glass.” The swell is 5ft from the NW, and the combined energy is moderate (535). The wind is finally offshore, and the swell direction (NW) is what the spot is built for. This is the best wave on offer. It’s not huge, but it’ll be clean, lined up, and a proper surf. The water temperature is sitting at 14°C with a normal anomaly of 0.5°C, so it’s about average for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

The only break in the game is Third Reef. It’s an exposed reef break, so it needs the right swell direction. It’s fairly consistent, but crowds are possible, and it’s an intermediate-level spot. The water’s cold, but the glassy afternoon on the 6th of August is the one to circle. The build-up to that is a long grind, but it’s worth holding out for.

Stay patient, and keep an eye on that Thursday afternoon. The rest of the window is a slog.

Rusty.

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