Toquay Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at a pretty quiet start, but there’s a real pulse of energy coming through later in the run. The first few days are small but clean, then a big spike hits mid-week, followed by a drop-off and then a promising return toward the end of the month and into August.

Toquay Reef is the only spot on the cards, and right now, this Saturday morning, the 18th of July, we’ve got some small but clean surf. Swell is 3 ft from the SW, with a 14-second period, which gives it a bit of push. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year. With a light offshore breeze, it’s clean and rideable, and the combined energy is moderate (382). It’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s a solid start.

Saturday afternoon goes glassy, with the swell dropping to 3 ft from the SW, period 13 seconds, energy down to 250. Still super clean, but small.

Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th are pretty ordinary. Swell hangs around 2 ft, mostly from the SSW, with periods around 11 to 16 seconds. The wind stays light offshore, so it’s clean, but the energy is weak (154-185). Surfable, but nothing to get excited about.

Tuesday the 21st sees a slight bump. Morning swell is 3 ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, energy at 343. Winds are light offshore again, so it’s a nice little session. Afternoon drops to 3 ft, still clean.

Wednesday the 22nd starts with a breeze picking up, but the swell is small at 2 ft. The afternoon sees a bit more size, 4 ft from the SW, but the wind goes cross-offshore and the period drops to 10 seconds, which makes it a bit messy. The energy jumps to 401, but it’s not the best shape.

Now, here’s where things get serious. Thursday the 23rd of July – stand up. We’ve got a big pulse of SW swell hitting 12 ft, with a solid 14-second period. The energy is massive (7077 in the morning, 6612 in the afternoon). This is expert territory, way over 8 ft, and the wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean but powerful. This is the standout for the whole run, but it’s for experienced surfers only. The reef should handle it well, but it’s going to be a beast.

Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th stay big, but dropping. Friday morning sees 7 ft from the SSW, period 15 seconds, energy 1786. Winds are cross-offshore, so it’s still clean, but the size means it’s for the strong paddlers only. By Saturday afternoon, the 25th, it’s down to 5 ft from the SSW, period 13 seconds, energy 784, and the wind goes offshore. This is a much more manageable size, still a decent wave, and clean.

From Sunday the 26th, the swell fades quickly. Morning has 3 ft from the SW, but the wind picks up to moderate offshore. By afternoon, it’s dropping to 3 ft with strong wind, so not great.

Monday the 27th sees a brief return of energy with a 3 ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-offshore. The afternoon goes a bit wild – 10 ft from the SW, but with a strong cross-shore wind, making it choppy and messy.

Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are a write-off. Big swell (13 ft on Tuesday morning) but with strong cross-onshore wind, making it ugly and dangerous. Stay out of the water.

Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are small again, but Friday the 31st of July has a nice surprise. Morning session is glassy with 5 ft from the SSW, period 11 seconds, energy 942. That’s clean, fun-sized surf.

Saturday the 1st of August is another standout. Morning is glassy, with a 5 ft SSW swell, period 16 seconds – that’s a long-period groundswell, which means good shape and energy (1289). This is a very promising session, clean and with some punch. It’s not too big, so it’s good for intermediates too.

Sunday the 2nd of August keeps the good run going. Morning has 5 ft from the SW, period 17 seconds, energy 1684, with a light cross-offshore breeze. Again, clean and quality. The reef should handle that long period well.

So, the best of the lot: Thursday the 23rd of July for the big, powerful, expert-only swell, and Saturday the 1st of August for the clean, glassy, long-period groundswell that’s more accessible. The crowds at Toquay Reef can be an issue sometimes, but with these conditions, it’s worth the gamble.

Rusty.

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