Whites Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this outlook sorted. It’s Rusty here, and it’s been a bit of a flat spell lately, but we finally have some swell on the cards. The ocean is waking up after a quiet start, and we’ve got a window of clean waves coming up. Let’s break it down.

The first real chance to get wet is this Thursday afternoon, the 13th. We’ve got a solid 6ft SW swell rolling in with a long 15-second period, giving it decent push. The wave energy is strong, sitting at 1551, so there’s plenty of grunt in the water. But here’s the kicker: the wind is cross-on from the WNW at 25 km/h. It’s going to be a bit choppy and messy out there. Not the best conditions, but if you’re desperate, it’s rideable. The water temp is 59°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – about 2° above average, so it’s not a shock to the system.

Now, hold on to your boards, because Friday the 14th looks much better. The swell holds at 6ft to 6ft from the SW, with periods stretching out to 16 seconds. The wind swings around to the SW and backs off to 15 km/h in the afternoon, going straight onshore. It’s not perfect, but it’s cleaner than Thursday. The wave energy is still strong – readings of 1374 and 1474 for the morning and afternoon. This is where I’d start paying attention.

But the real standout is Saturday the 15th. The swell eases a touch to 5ft in the morning, dropping to 4ft in the afternoon, but the wind goes light and turns cross-offshore from the SE. The morning has that slight cross breeze, but the afternoon is the money session – clean conditions, with the wave comment calling for "very good surf conditions." The wave energy is still moderate at 843, and with a 15-second period, those SW lines will be wrapping nicely. This is the pick of the first few days.

Sunday the 16th is still okay, with 4ft of SW swell and clean cross-off winds, but it’s smaller and the energy drops off to 447. It’s worth a paddle, but don’t expect the punch of the previous day. From Monday the 17th onwards, the swell drops right off into the ankle-to-knee high territory. Monday morning only has 2ft, and it’s small through to Wednesday the 19th, where it’s barely breaking. We’re looking at a few days of small, weak surf, so it might be time to wax the longboard or do some maintenance on the quiver.

The next pulse of real swell is forecast to arrive around the 22nd and 23rd of August. This is further out, so treat it as promising but not set in stone. The models are hinting at a stronger SW groundswell, with 5ft to 6ft pushing in. The problem is the wind – it’s forecast to be onshore and strong, from the WSW and W at 35 km/h. That’s going to create messy, blown-out conditions. The wave energy ramps up to 1489 on the 22nd afternoon and 1424 on the 23rd morning, but it’ll be a battle against the chop. I’d only head out if you’re comfortable in rougher water; this could be more of a kite-surfing day than a clean paddle-surfing one.

There’s another slight increase around the 25th, with 6ft of SW swell, but again, the winds are cross-shore and moderate, so it’s going to be lumpy. The energy is high – 1737 and 1803 – but the quality won’t be there. We’re talking about a few days of bumpy, onshore slop for the end of the week.

So, summing it up: the best surf on offer in the next few days is Saturday the 15th at Whites Reef. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. The swell direction is SW, which is the optimum for this break, and it’s got that nice long period. Just be mindful of the crowds, as they can get busy, and remember it’s a reef break, so it’s best for intermediate surfers. The earlier low-tide sessions might be a bit tricky, but the Saturday afternoon looks clean.

After that, we’re in a bit of a lull until around the 25th, but the long-range stuff looks like it has potential if the wind plays ball. But for now, make the most of the weekend – it’s looking like the cleanest, most consistent waves for the next week and a half.

Stay stoked,

Rusty.

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