Whites Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Whites Reef over the next couple of weeks.

To be straight up with you, the first several days are a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a small window of surfable waves from the 8th, but the conditions are just not cooperating. The water’s sitting at 59°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only good news. The swell energy is moderate, with readings around 411 (moderate), but the wind is a nasty cross-off that’s just making things messy. It’s not worth paddling out for.

We then hit a real dry spell. From the 9th all the way through to the morning of the 15th, the forecasts are all showing poor conditions. The swell tries to kick up a few times – we see a big pulse of energy on the 10th hitting 1327 (moderate to strong), and then again on the 12th and 13th with energy readings well into the thousands (strong to very strong). But the wind is straight onshore or cross-on, and the surf is just a lumpy, choppy mess. Anything over 8 ft, like that 10 ft on the 12th, is really only for experts anyway, but with those winds, it’s not even worth it for them. Honestly, for a few days there, with that strong onshore wind and big swell, it looks more like a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.

Things finally start to look up a little on the morning of the 15th. The wind drops right out to a light breeze, and while the swell is smaller (4 ft to 4 ft from the SW with a solid 15-second period), the energy is still decent at 1237. It’s marginal, but it’s a glimmer. The 16th is similar – small and clean-ish, but nothing that’ll get the heart racing.

Now, here’s the standout you’ve been waiting for. Mark your calendars for the 21st of August. Friday morning is the pick of the entire outlook. We’ve got a clean 6 ft SW swell rolling in with that lovely 15-second period, and the wind is offshore from the ENE. The energy reading is a solid 1415. This is the one. For a reef break like Whites Reef, that long-period SW groundswell with offshore wind will produce some proper, clean lines. It’s going to be excellent for experienced surfers – that size is a bit much for beginners. Keep in mind it might get a little busy, as crowds are often a thing here.

Before that, the morning of the 17th is also worth a mention. It’s a smaller day, about 4 ft, but with an offshore easterly and clean conditions, it’ll be fun on a log or a fish. Not a stand-out compared to the 21st, but a nice little session.

After the 21st, it fades pretty quickly. The 22nd is small and clean, and by the 23rd the wind picks up again and it’s back to messy conditions. So, if you’ve got a window, make it the morning of the 21st.

Rusty.

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