Whites Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get straight into it. We've got a bit of a mixed bag coming up over the next couple of weeks, so let's break it down day by day.

The early action kicks off this Sunday, the 16th of August, at Whites Reef. It's a reef break, intermediate territory, and it's fairly consistent, though you might find the place often crowded. We're looking at a clean 3ft swell from the SW, with a long 14-second period pushing some proper energy into the water (437). A light offshore breeze from the East will have those lines looking tidy. The water's sitting at 59°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – not a bad thing.

Sunday afternoon sees the wind swing a touch cross-offshore, keeping things clean enough, but the tide might get a bit funky.

Monday the 17th is where it starts to get really interesting. The morning session is clean with a 2ft SW swell (394), but it's the afternoon that's a real standout. The swell bumps up to 4ft from the SW, the period stretches to 16 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to a solid 593. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore breeze, promising very clean, well-shaped waves. This is a top contender for the best session on offer in the near term.

Tuesday the 18th holds some small 2ft SW swell but the wind picks up, making conditions a bit messy and marginal.

Wednesday the 19th is a write-off with fresh onshore winds and rain showing up.

We then hit a long dry spell. Thursday the 20th through to Tuesday the 26th of August is mostly a write-off for quality surfing. We see some bigger swell push through – around 4ft to 7ft – but it's hammered by strong onshore and cross-shore winds, making for poor, choppy, and lumpy conditions. That bigger stuff is really only for experts anyway, and with the wind, it's a pass.

Now, hold on to your boards, because there's a real diamond in the rough waiting for us. Thursday the 27th of August. The morning at Whites Reef sees a 3ft SW swell (552) with a 15-second period. But the real story is the wind – dead glassy, from the NNE at only 5 km/h. That is as good as it gets. The afternoon holds that same glassy perfection with a 3ft SW swell (504) and a 16-second period. For a reef break that likes a SW groundswell, this is prime. This is the absolute standout of the entire forecast. Mark it in your calendar.

After that, the end of the month and into early September is more marginal. Friday the 28th is small and crossed up. Saturday the 29th has a 3ft SW swell (538) with 16 seconds but a cross-shore breeze. Sunday the 30th of August afternoon offers a final glimpse of hope with glassy conditions on a small 2ft swell. It won't be big, but it'll be clean.

So, overall: the first week has a couple of good windows, notably Monday afternoon. The middle period is a total loss. The absolute best bet, the one to plan for, is the glassy perfection on Thursday the 27th of August at Whites Reef.

Rusty.

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