Whites Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag ahead for Whites Reef. The opening stretch is pretty grim with onshore winds and sloppy conditions, but there’s a decent chance of some clean waves late in the first week and again into the second week, though that longer-range stuff is a bit more of a gamble.

For the first few days, Saturday the 1st through to Tuesday the 5th, it’s mostly a write-off. Swell is around 2ft to 5ft from the SW, but the wind is all over the place – onshore and cross-on for most of it, with moderate to fresh breezes. The combined energy is moderate at best (588 to 1245), but the onshore wind wrecks any chance of clean waves. You’ll be fighting chop and lumpy junk. Not worth paddling out.

We finally get a glimmer on Friday the 7th. The morning sees a clean 4ft SW swell with a gentle 15 km/h NNE cross-offshore breeze, and that long 15-second period means proper groundswell lines. The combined energy hits 827 (moderate), and the conditions are clean. This is the standout in the first week. Afternoon stays clean too, with a 3ft SW swell and light NE breeze. Since it’s a reef break, that long-period groundswell will set up nicely here, though be aware crowds are often around. If you can get out, this is your morning session.

Then we hit another dry spell. From Saturday the 8th through to Tuesday the 12th, the wind goes back to cross-off but with fresh breezes (30-35 km/h) making it howling and tough. Swell hangs around 2ft to 6ft, but the wind is too strong for decent surfing. On Tuesday the 11th, there’s a bigger pulse – 6ft to 6ft WSW swell with moderate cross-shore wind – but the chop makes it average at best. The energy climbs (1337 to 1413), but it’s not clean. For experts only if you’re desperate.

Wednesday the 12th morning is interesting. A 6ft SW swell with a 17-second period and light NNW cross-shore breeze (10 km/h) gives you clean-ish conditions and the combined energy is strong at 2167. But that’s a hefty size and long period for a reef, so the waves might wall up. It’s a marginal call due to the size – definitely expert territory. Afternoon gets a gentle cross-on breeze and loses points.

From Thursday the 13th to Saturday the 15th, it’s back to onshore and cross-on winds with fresh breezes, and the swell drops to 3ft to 4ft. Poor conditions all round.

Finally, Sunday the 16th sees a clean finish. Morning brings a 3ft SW swell with a 16-second period and a light 10 km/h NE cross-off breeze. Combined energy is low (290), but the surf is clean and good for a consistent reef break. Afternoon is also clean with a 2ft SSE swell. Not pumping, but a nice way to close out the period with no wind drama.

Best on offer: Friday the 7th morning, no contest. Clean, long-period SW groundswell with light offshore wind. That’s the session to circle.

Rusty.

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