Vetchs Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here, checking in on the local surf scene.

First off, I gotta be straight with you—this 16-day window starts off pretty grim. From Saturday the 8th right through to Tuesday the 11th, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. The wind is all over the shop, mostly cross or cross-on, and the swell is small and weak. You’re looking at chest-high slop at best, with a combined energy that’s barely making a dent (127 to 205). The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year—no big surprises there.

Then Wednesday the 12th rolls in with a bit more size. The swell jumps to 8ft from the ESE on the morning, and the combined energy hits 1841—that’s a solid pulse. But it’s cross-on and choppy, and at that size, it’s getting into expert territory. Still, the afternoon drops to 10ft from the SE, with lighter wind and a better score. If you’re a seasoned surfer and you don’t mind a bit of bump, that afternoon session could be your best bet for the first week.

Now, Thursday the 13th morning is a real standout. The wind goes glassy—totally still—and you’ve got a clean 6ft groundswell from the ESE, with a period of 9 seconds. Combined energy is 512, so there’s some proper push. The water’s still that normal 71°, which is fine. This is a rare window for Vetchs Reef, and when it’s glassy, it’s a treat. The sets will be clean, but remember this break only lines up occasionally, so don’t sleep on it.

After that, things get messy again. From Friday the 14th through to the 20th, it’s mostly cross-on NE winds, and the swell is either too small or too messy to bother with. The combined energy fluctuates, but it’s all poor surf conditions. Plenty of wind for kite surfing, not so much for a paddle.

Now, skip ahead to Saturday the 22nd. That’s the one to circle. The morning brings a solid 7ft swell from the ENE, with a moderate offshore cross-off breeze from the SSW. Combined energy is a punchy 1032, and the conditions are clean. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers—big, organised, and not too crowded if you’re lucky. The period is 8 seconds, so it’s a bit short, but the quality is there. This is the best the run has to offer, but it’s 14 days out, so keep an eye on it.

The swell drops off after that, and the final days are back to small and choppy. So, in short: the first week is a write-off, Thursday the 13th morning is a glassy gem, and Saturday the 22nd morning is the big one to aim for.

Stay patient, and keep your eye on that wind.

Rusty.

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