Whites Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s take a look at what we’ve got on the cards for Whites Reef over the next couple of weeks. It’s a reef set-up that needs a solid WSW to SW groundswell and clean conditions to really work its magic, and the optimum swell here is from the W, so we’ll be looking for that combo.

Right now, there’s a slow patch immediately. Friday the 21st is messy – a WSW swell at 3.9ft with a 14-second period from a WSW direction, but the cross-onshore breeze is making a chop of it. Wave energy is moderate at 757, but the quality is poor. You’re better off waiting.

Saturday the 22nd is where it catches your attention. The morning shows a SW swell building to 5.9ft with a long 15-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy jumps to 1347. The wind is onshore from the WSW, though, so it’ll be a bit raw. Not ideal for the point-break perfection this reef can offer, but the size and push are there. The afternoon is similar (5.9ft, 14 seconds, energy 1465) but still onshore.

Sunday the 23rd sees a drop back to 3.9ft (period 14s) with a cross-shore NNW breeze that’s gentle, but the waves are small and chopped. Not worth rushing.

Now, here’s the standout window for cleaner waves: Monday the 24th. Monday morning shows 2.6ft from the SW (14s period, energy 300) but with a N cross-offshore breeze. That’s clean. By Monday afternoon, the wind stays N at a light 6 mph – still cross-off, and the wave height is 2.6ft with a 13-second period (energy 257). The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” The water temp is 58.3°F, which is about one degree warmer than average for this time of year – not a huge deal, but it’s a little more comfortable than usual. For a reef break, that lighter breeze with glassy conditions will make for some clean, fun little lefts. This is the best bet of the week for a crafty session.

Through the rest of the first week – Tuesday the 25th to Thursday the 27th – it’s mostly poor with onshore winds or choppy cross-shore conditions. The swell dips below 3ft or sits around 1.9–2.3ft, and wind does it no favours. Not a good run.

Friday the 28th shows a slight pulse: 4.3ft from WSW (17s period, energy 963) with a N cross-off breeze in the morning. That period is very long. At a reef, that’s a good sign – cleaner, more power, but long sets. The morning looks clean. The afternoon is cross-on from the SSW – less attractive.

Sunday the 30th is worth a mention: 4.6ft from the SW (17s period, energy 1137) with a light W cross-on breeze. It’s a building trend. By Sunday afternoon: 4.9ft from the SSW (16s period, energy 1155). This is getting up in size. It’s marginal with that cross-on wind, but for bigger-wave surfers this could be a session.

Monday the 31st sees 4.9ft again but with a stronger NW cross-on breeze (16 mph) – that’s choppy and poor. No go.

Looking into early September, there’s a pulse on Tuesday 1st September: 4.6ft from the SW (15s period, energy 940) with a very light S cross-shore in the morning. That’s borderline and the energy is only moderate. The afternoon is similar but smaller.

By Thursday 3rd September, we have a more significant pulse: 5.2ft from the SW (15s period, energy 1474) in the morning, and 5.9ft from the SW (17s period, energy 1860) by the afternoon with a lighter W cross-on breeze. That’s a solid groundswell with good period (17s) and moderate energy. The afternoon looks the best of that day – still with some cross-on chop, but for a beefy reef wave it could offer some nice grinders for experienced surfers. The water temp remains around 58.3°F, about a degree warmer than average – nothing wild.

Friday 4th September gets blown out – strong winds (22–25 mph from the WSW) with 5.2ft onshore junk. Not surfable. Saturday the 5th is worse with

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