Third Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, but in feet and miles.

Well, to be honest, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for Third Reef. We’ve got a run of small, weak swell with onshore or cross-onshore wind that’s just trashing any chance of a decent wave. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing special.

Friday the 21st has tiny 2ft swell from the SSW with a period of 14 seconds (that’s a long-period groundswell, but there’s hardly any size). The combined swell energy is weak, sitting at 312. Light W wind is offshore, which is the only saving grace, but with that size it’s barely worth paddling out. The next few days are even worse – Saturday through to the end of the month are all “poor” or “marginal.” Swell stays under 3ft, winds are messy, mostly cross-on from the NW or WNW, and the combined energy stays low (values between 182 and 768). There’s no standout here; it’s just a flat, choppy mess.

We hit a dry spell with no real recommendations until we get into early September. There’s a big jump in swell around the 1st of September – Tuesday afternoon sees a messy 6ft NW windswell, but period is only 6 seconds, winds are a fresh 19 mph cross-on from the NW, and it’s lumpy. Not worth it.

The real change comes Wednesday the 2nd of September. Wednesday morning sees 8ft from the NW, period 12 seconds, but still cross-on NW wind at 9 mph – combined energy jumps to 1695 (strong). That’s big and powerful, but the wind is still on it. Wednesday afternoon gets even bigger: 8ft, same period, but winds whip up to 19 mph cross-on from the WNW. Combined energy hits 2033 (very strong). That’s expert-only territory, and with that cross-on wind, it’ll be a battle. Not for the faint-hearted.

Thursday the 3rd is similar: 8ft to 8ft from the NW, period dropping to 10 seconds, but winds stay cross-on. Energy is still very strong (1445 to 1712). Still messy.

Now, the best chance in this whole outlook lands on Friday the 4th of September. Friday morning has 8ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, and the wind goes light offshore from the W at 6 mph. That’s the cleanest window we get. Combined energy is 1572 (strong). Friday afternoon holds similar: 8ft, period 9 seconds, light cross-on from the WNW at 6 mph, energy 1266. This is big, powerful groundswell, and with that light offshore wind it’ll be hollow. But remember, long-period swells can sometimes race down the line at a reef like this; it should peel nicely. It’s big though – more than 8ft – so experts only. Crowds are possible here (sometimes busy). This is the one to circle on the calendar.

Saturday the 5th of September still has size (8ft from the NW, period 9 seconds) and light cross-on wind, but the energy is very high (2084). Still big and lumpy.

So, to sum it up: a long, flat, windy stretch through most of August. The standout is Friday the 4th of September, with solid NW groundswell and light offshore wind at Third Reef. It’ll be a proper session for the experienced crew. Don’t bother before that.

Rusty.

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