Third Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Third Reef over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a wait. The first few days are pretty flat and messy. The water temp is sitting at 59°F at the start, which is about normal for this time of year – nothing to complain about there.

We’ve got a long period groundswell rolling in from the SSW on Saturday the 5th, with a wave height of 4ft and a period of 16 seconds, carrying moderate energy (947). But the wind is on it or cross-on, and the conditions are marginal. Sunday the 6th looks like a write-off with fresh cross-onshore winds up to 19 mph making it lumpy. Through Monday and Tuesday the 7th and 8th, the swell drops, and it’s not really worth paddling out.

Now, Wednesday afternoon the 9th is where things start to get interesting. The wind goes glassy, the swell is 2ft from the SW with a very long period of 19 seconds, and the energy is moderate (445). That’s a clean, glassy session for the late afternoon if you’re keen.

The real standout is shaping up for Thursday afternoon the 10th. We’ve got a 3ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period, glassy conditions, and the energy is building to a solid 824. That’s going to be clean, lined-up waves – a proper session. But remember, this is a reef break, and with a long period like that, it’ll be a bit more focused and less forgiving at a beach setup. Still, it’s the best of the first week.

Friday the 11th gets blown out again, and Saturday the 12th sees a shift to a shorter period NW windswell (9 seconds) at 5ft. The energy is still there (699), but it’s cross-on and choppy. Sunday the 13th has a 5ft NW swell with an 8-second period (753 energy), but it’s going to be a bit of a lumpy mess. That size is getting into intermediate territory, but the quality isn’t there.

The second week is pretty quiet overall. Monday the 14th has a glassy morning with a tiny 1ft SW swell (17-second period), but it’s barely a ripple. Tuesday the 15th through Thursday the 17th is all small, cross-on, and marginal.

But hold on – the best is saved for the very end. On Sunday the 20th of September, we’ve got a cracking setup. The morning has a 3ft SW swell with a clean cross-offshore wind from the SSE. The energy is strong at 752. Then in the afternoon, it jumps to a 5ft WNW swell with a 10-second period, and the energy rockets to 1099. That’s strong wave energy, and with a light cross-offshore breeze, it’s going to be clean and powerful. That afternoon session is for experienced surfers, though – over 5ft and a bit of punch. Still, it’s the clear standout of the whole forecast.

Overall, it’s a slow start, but the 10th and that 20th of September are the ones to circle. Crowds are possible at Third Reef, but with the conditions looking clean on those days, it’ll be worth the paddle.

Rusty.

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