Whites Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s chew the fat on Whites Reef for the next couple of weeks. Plain and simple, it’s a rough stretch with only a couple of bright spots. The pattern is all over the place – plenty of swell rollin’ through, but the wind is an absolute pest for days on end. The water temp is sittin’ around 58°, which is pretty normal for the time of year, nothin’ special.

First chance to get wet is Friday, August 28. Both morning and afternoon are only so-so – swell runs 4 ft from the west-southwest with a very long 17-second period, punchin’ out 977 units of combined energy. But the wind is light onshore and cross-on, puttin’ a little wrinkle on the face. Not worth rushin’ out for.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are nearly dead. Clear skies, light wind, but the swell drops to 3 ft to 4 ft from the southwest with a shorter 13-second period. Combined energy is weak to moderate, maxin’ at 520. Conditions are poor to marginal. You’d be scratchin’ for bits.

Now, Monday, August 31 afternoon – that’s the standout for the whole 16-day run. Swell holds at 3 ft from the southwest, but the period stretches to a very long 18 seconds, pushin’ 828 units of combined energy. The wind goes glassy – dead calm. That’s as clean as it gets on a reef. If you can paddle out, you’ll find silky lines. This is the one.

After that, it’s a long, dry spell. From Tuesday, September 1 through Thursday, September 10, almost all of it is poor. Winds howl from the northwest and west, whippin’ up fresh cross-onshore chop. Swell hangs between 4 ft and 8 ft from the southwest, and combined energy gets strong – on September 4 it hits 2404. But it’s all lumpy and messy. Not for a paddle session. If you’re into kite surfing, this stretch might look more interesting than a surfboard.

There’s a tiny flicker on Monday, September 7 morning – swell drops to 3 ft from the south, 10-second period, with a clean offshore breeze from the northeast. It’s small but clean. Tuesday, September 8 afternoon also offers a clean offshore from the east with 3 ft from the south-southwest, but still low energy.

The next real highlight lands on Friday, September 11 morning. Swell jumps to 6 ft from the southwest with a very long 18-second period and a massive 2843 units of combined energy. Wind is a fresh cross-offshore from the north, keepin’ it clean. That’s a serious groundswell – very long period like that will wrap around this reef beautifully, givin’ long, shapely lines, though the sets might be spaced out. It’s promisin’, but it’s over a week off, so don’t bank on it just yet.

The final days into September 12 are messy again – strong onshore winds choppin’ up solid 6 ft swell. Nothin’ doin’.

So, the best bet is that glassy Monday afternoon on August 31 at Whites Reef. The early morning of September 11 is also a solid contender if you’ve got patience. Other than that? Keep the board in the car and wait for a better day.

Rusty.

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