Tongo Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve only got one spot on the radar for the next 16 days, and it’s Tongo Reef. This is a proper reef set-up for advanced surfers only—no messing around. The best of the run is really focused in the second half of the first week, and I’ll tell you, the standout session is shaping up to be a beauty for those who know what they’re doing.

The overall pattern starts slow. Monday the 20th kicks off with a little pulse of energy—clean, cross-off winds and a solid 4ft swell from the south, with a period of 12 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 626. It’s a decent intro, but not the main event. That afternoon the swell drops to 3ft and the direction swings to the southwest, and the energy drops to 482. It’s a bit messy, so I’d stick to the morning.

Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd are pretty flat. Swell hangs around 2ft to 3ft, with periods around 11-12 seconds, but the energy is low—between 106 and 236. Winds stay cross-off, but the surf just isn’t there. It’s a quiet couple of days.

Then Thursday the 23rd throws a weird one. Swell stays tiny at 2ft to 2ft, but the period jumps to 24 seconds—that’s an incredibly long groundswell. The energy picks up to 661-773, but for a reef break, that long period can make waves fat and hard to connect. Still, if you’re patient, there might be the odd set.

Friday the 24th is where things start to get interesting. Morning brings 3ft of south-southwest swell at 21 seconds, and the energy is strong at 980. Winds are light and cross-off—clean as a whistle. Afternoon holds steady with similar size and 20-second period, energy at 872. This is very good surf, but the real standout comes next.

Saturday the 25th is the absolute pick of the run. Morning: 5ft from the southwest, 18-second period, and the energy is pumping at 1372. Winds are light from the southeast at 6 mph—basically glassy. The waves will be clean, powerful, and well-shaped on that reef. Afternoon swells to 5ft, energy hits 1487, and winds stay gentle. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no drama there.

Sunday the 26th keeps the quality high. Morning has 5ft from the southwest at 16 seconds, energy at 1649. Afternoon drops a little to 4ft, but the energy actually climbs to 1812—that’s a lot of push. Winds stay cross-off and light. This is another top session, but the tide might be a factor in the afternoon, so check the local conditions.

Monday the 27th sees a jump in size—6ft to 7ft from the southwest, with periods of 16-17 seconds. The energy is massive at 2174-2304. But here’s the catch: the wind swings to a cross-shore on Monday morning, with a bit of cross-chop, and the swell is getting big. At 7ft, this is for experts only. Afternoon cleans up with cross-off winds, but it’s still a serious wave. If you’re not confident, stay out.

Tuesday the 28th through Wednesday the 29th hold solid 6ft to 6ft swell from the southwest, with periods around 14-16 seconds. Energy stays strong between 1129 and 1675. Winds are cross-off and moderate. This is still good, heavy reef surf, but it’s not as clean or consistent as the 25th and 26th.

From Thursday the 30th onward, the swell slowly fades. Thursday has 5ft from the south-southwest at 13 seconds, energy around 693. By Friday the 31st, it’s down to 3ft-4ft, and into the first days of August, we’re looking at 2ft to 4ft. The energy drops to between 397 and 920. Still rideable, but nothing special. The last week is a long, mellow tail-off.

Crowds at Tongo Reef can be a thing sometimes, so on the standout days—especially Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th—expect company. But with that quality, it’s worth it.

For the absolute best of the best: Saturday the 25th morning. 5ft from the southwest, 18-second period, light breeze, clean as glass. That’s the one.

Rusty.

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