Vetchs Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Oi, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Vetchs Reef.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with ya – this stretch is lookin’ pretty grim for a solid two weeks. The first real chance of a wave doesn’t even show up until Monday the 20th of July, and even then, it’s a tough one. We’ve got a moderate 6ft swell from the SE, with a solid 12-second period, and the combined energy is pumpin’ at 1056 (moderate). But the wind is a cross-shore from the S at 12 mph, so it’s got that cross-chop on it. The water’s a touch warmer than normal at 73°, which is a little unusual for this time of year. The trouble is, this spot is a reef break that’s advanced-level and rarely breaks. The conditions are marginal, and the score is weak. Not the day to paddle out unless you’re a local who knows the zone.

Monday afternoon cleans up a bit with a lighter SE breeze at 3 mph, but it’s still cross-onshore, so the surface is a bit rippled. The swell stays the same size. Still, it’s a tough call.

Tuesday the 21st drops off quick. Swell drops to 5ft in the morning, then 4ft in the afternoon, and the wind swings to a cross-on from the NE. The energy drops to 546 (moderate) and then 498 (moderate). This is a dud. By Wednesday and Thursday, the swell is fading fast – down to 3ft and then 2ft, with the energy dropping to 255 (weak) and then 64 (weak). The wind is offshore from the SSW, which is clean, but there’s just no power. The reef won’t be breaking.

From Friday the 24th of July through to the end of the month, it’s a total write-off. Swell stays below 2ft, and the wind is either cross-on or onshore, with gusts up to 25 mph creating a messy, lumpy surface. The energy is in the low double digits or less. For a reef that needs a solid swell and clean conditions, this is a desert.

The only flicker of hope comes on Friday the 31st of July. The morning shows a clean 2ft, 13-second period SE groundswell, with a light offshore WSW breeze at 6 mph. The combined energy is 274 (moderate). The forecast even says “expect good surf conditions.” But the swell is small, and this reef is rarely breaking. It’s a risk, but if you’re a patient, skilled surfer, dawn patrol might just give you a clean little wave. The afternoon kills it with a cross-on NE breeze.

The next morning, Saturday the 1st of August, is glassy calm with a 3ft, 12-second SE swell. Energy is 174 (moderate). The conditions are glassy, but it’s still small and the reef is tough. A true standout? Not really. Just a faint heartbeat.

Beyond that, the swell tries to build again on Monday the 3rd of August, with 5ft to 7ft SE swell, but the wind is a fresh to strong cross-on from the NNE and NE, making it lumpy and messy. The energy climbs to 921 (moderate), but the wind wrecks it. That’s a kitesurfing setup, not a paddling one.

So, what’s the best on offer? Honestly, the surfable window is so narrow. The only decent call is Friday the 31st of July in the early morning. Clean conditions, a tiny but long-period groundswell, and a rare chance at a wave. Keep your expectations low. The rest of the 16 days is a long, flat, or blown-out slog.

Rusty.

Read more