Whites Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I’ve got to be straight with you – this forecast starts with a bit of a dud. The first day or so is a write-off. You’ve got a moderate cross-onshore breeze and choppy conditions on Saturday the 4th, with the water sitting at 61°F – a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, which is nice, but the surf is just poor. The combined swell energy is sitting at 618, which is moderate, but it’s all for nothing with that wind.

We finally get a clean-up on Sunday the 5th. The wind swings around to a cross-offshore from the SE, and the swell starts to look interesting. Sunday morning brings a solid 7ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 17 seconds. The combined energy jumps right up to 2122 – that’s a strong pulse of energy. This is a prime setup for Whites Reef, an exposed reef break. That long-period groundswell is going to wrap in nicely here, giving you some proper lines. It’s a fairly consistent break, but the crowds are often here, so expect company for this one. Sunday afternoon still has a clean 6ft swell, so the window is open.

Monday the 6th is a bit smaller, but the conditions are dreamy. The morning is clean with a light cross-off breeze, dropping to a 3ft SSW swell. The standout though is Monday afternoon – glassy. Flat calm, zero wind. The swell is 3ft with a 14-second period, and the energy is light at 311, but for a small-wave board or a log, that’s pure gold. It’s not a standout for power, but for a clean, playful session, it’s tough to beat.

Tuesday the 7th stays clean with offshore winds in the morning and a little 3ft SW swell. It’s small but perfectly rideable for an intermediate.

Now, get your calendar out for Wednesday the 8th. That’s the pick of the whole run. Wednesday morning you’ve got a clean, light cross-off breeze, a 4ft swell from the SW, and a period of 18 seconds – that’s a very long, powerful groundswell. The combined energy is 1290, which is strong. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The swell direction from the SW is right in the optimum for this reef, so expect the waves to really stand up and offer some proper walls. Afternoon keeps the good vibes with a glassy offshore wind and a 4ft swell.

The rest of the first week drops off. Thursday the 9th has a small 3ft swell but still clean, so it’s a fun-sized day for a cruise. Friday the 10th gets a bit of a bump in wind, and the quality slips into marginal. Not worth burning a sick day for.

Then we hit a dry spell. From Saturday the 11th right through to the start of the second week, the wind is mostly cross-onshore, onshore, or just plain lumpy. We get a spike in swell around the 14th (Tuesday) with 5ft from the SSW, but that’s accompanied by onshore wind and rain. The setup there looks more interesting for a kite surfer than for a paddle surfer – it’s going to be choppy and messy.

The 16th (Thursday) and 17th (Friday) get real chunky. Friday the 17th sees an 8ft SW swell with a 15-second period – that’s big, powerful, and crosses the line into expert-only territory. The issue is the wind is a fresh cross-shore, making it lumpy and difficult to manage. Combined energy is 2868, which is very strong, but with that wind, it’s going to be a battle.

The last few days from the 18th onward drop back down, still plagued by onshore wind and rain. The run from around the 11th to the 19th is basically a long gap of poor to marginal conditions.

So, the only true standout here is Wednesday the 8th. That’s the day. Clean conditions, a long-period groundswell, and that 4ft will be peeling nicely at Whites Reef. The second-best shout is Sunday the 5th for the bigger but still clean swell. Otherwise, keep your expectations low.

Rusty.

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