Tongo Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got a good look at what’s coming up for Tongo Reef. This is a reef break, so it’s got that structure that can really hold a swell, but it’s also a spot that’s fairly consistent, so it’s not a total gamble. The water temp is sitting at 79° – that’s about 8° warmer than what’s normal for this time of year, so it’s a real anomaly. The ocean is feeling more like a bath than usual, which is a nice little bonus for the sessions ahead.

The forecast starts with a bit of a slow grind. For the first week, from Tuesday the 14th through to the 21st, the swell is hanging around 2ft to 5ft, coming mostly from the SSW or S. The combined swell energy is moderate, hitting values like 502 and up to 853, so there’s some push in the water, but the scores are low. Winds are a steady cross-off from the SSE or S, which is clean enough, but the surf is just *marginal*. It’s not junk, but it’s not calling you out of bed. The period is mostly 12 to 16 seconds, which is a decent groundswell, but the energy just isn’t enough to make it a standout. The second week starts to shift. On the 22nd and 23rd, the swell bumps up to 5ft to 5ft from the S, but the period drops to 8-10 seconds, and the wind stays stiff at 25 km/h (16 mph). That’s a poor setup, and the scores reflect it – that’s kite surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

Now, the real spike comes on the 24th. Friday morning, the 24th of July, you see a 2ft swell from the SW with a period of 21 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the combined energy jumps to 904. For a reef, that’s a dream start to the session – long, clean lines, but you’ll be waiting for the sets. The wind is a cross-off at 20 km/h (12 mph), so it’s clean. That’s a promising one, but it’s not the best.

The absolute standout is the weekend of the 26th and 27th. Sunday the 26th morning brings a 3ft SW swell with a 17-second period, and the combined energy is 1086 – that’s strong, proper wave energy. The wind is a gentle 15 km/h (9 mph) from the S, light and offshore-angled, so it’s going to be glassy. The comments say “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and that’s the truth. The swell is 3ft, so it’s not too big, but the power from that long period will make it punchy. It’s a reef, so it’ll handle that long period beautifully, but it won’t be a beginner’s wave. Monday the 27th is even better. Morning brings a 4ft SSE swell with a 13-second period, and the energy is 1179. The wind drops to 15 km/h (9 mph), nearly glassy. That’s the pick of the forecast. The swell direction matches the optimum S direction for the reef, and the conditions are as clean as they get.

Crowds are noted as “sometimes” at Tongo Reef, so on these standout days, especially the Monday, you can expect a few other blokes in the water. But with that quality, it’s worth sharing the bank.

The second week around the 28th and 29th holds some decent energy – 4ft to 4ft SW swell with 14-15 second periods, moderate energy around 1000-1100, but the wind picks up to 20-25 km/h (12-16 mph). It’s still clean, but the energy is dropping, and the scores are lower. It’s a solid option, but it doesn’t touch that Sunday-Monday window.

So, the call is this: the first week is a long, slow burn. The real action is on the 26th and 27th of July. Sunday morning for the long-period SW groundswell, and Monday morning for the bigger, clean SSE swell. Those are the two sessions to circle. It’s a little way out, so keep an eye on it, but the signs are good.

Rusty.

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