Tongo Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Tongo Reef over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. From Saturday, 18 July, right through to Thursday, 23 July, the surf is pretty marginal. The swell is hanging around 2 ft to 4 ft, mostly from the S or SW, with periods here and there, but the wave energy is weak to moderate (between 184 and 781). The wind is a steady cross-off, which keeps things clean, but the waves just aren’t doing much. It’s a bit of a flat spell to begin with. Honestly, not much to get excited about for the first five or six days.

Then we start to see a shift. Friday, 24 July, things start to look a bit more promising. The swell picks up a little, and the wind goes light. The real standout window starts to build from that point. Saturday, 25 July, is looking very good. The morning has a clean 4 ft S swell, with a period of 19 seconds – that’s proper groundswell – and a light breeze from the S. The combined energy is strong (1085). That’s a solid session for experienced surfers, with good shape and long gaps between sets making it easier to get out. The afternoon bumps up to 5 ft from the SW, but the period drops a touch, and the energy gets a lot bigger (1522). It’s still clean, but the size is getting up there.

Now, the absolute best of the run is Sunday, 26 July, through to Tuesday, 28 July. Sunday morning has 4 ft SW swell with a 19-second period, light cross-off wind, and wave energy that’s very strong (1865). That’s world-class potential if the tide works out. By Monday, 27 July, the swell is up to 6 ft from the SW, still with a very long period (18 seconds), and the wind is light. The energy is over 2000 – that’s pumping. This is expert-level stuff, with size over 8 ft on the cards by Tuesday morning when it hits 7 ft. The wind stays cross-off, so it’s going to be lined up and powerful. Tongo Reef is a reef break, so these long-period SW groundswells are going to hold up beautifully. If you’re an advanced surfer, this is the window.

After that, the swell gradually fades through the end of the month and into early August. Wednesday, 29 July, still has 6 ft, but the period drops to 14 seconds, and the energy backs off. By Thursday, 30 July, it’s 4 ft, still clean, but the magic is gone. The first week of August looks like it has some pulses, but nothing that matches the heights of that late July run.

The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no real surprises there. And Tongo can get crowded sometimes, so on those standout days, especially the weekend, expect some company.

So, what’s the best? Without a doubt, Saturday 25 July morning through to Tuesday 28 July. The pick of the bunch is Monday 27 July – 6 ft SW groundswell, with a 17 to 18-second period, light winds, and massive energy. That’s a day to clear your schedule for.

Rusty.

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