Anse Bougainville Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Anse Bougainville over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, I’ve got to level with you – this is a tough run. The entire 16-day window is a total write-off for decent surf. From Thursday the 23rd of July all the way through to Friday the 7th of August, every single session is rated as poor surf conditions. There’s no standout, no hidden gem, nothing to get excited about. The wind is a constant problem – mostly onshore from the SSE or SE, often blowing a fresh breeze of 15 to 22 mph, and every now and then it’s cross-onshore, adding lump and chop to the mix. Even when the swell kicks up, the wind spoils it.

The swell itself is a mess. For the first week, you’re looking at a combo of short-period windswell (8 seconds) and some groundswell, but it’s all coming from the SE or SSE, which is actually the direction this reef break wants. Problems is, the wind is from the same direction, so it’s onshore and messy. Heights range from 4 ft to 7 ft, but it’s all junk. The combined swell energy is moderate to strong – you’ll see values like 641 to 1021 – but with the wind state, none of that energy translates to rideable waves.

The water temperature is running at about 81°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s about 3°F above average. Not a big deal for the surf, but it’s nice to know.

Looking further out, into the second week, there’s a bit more size. Around the 3rd and 4th of August, we see swell heights of 8 ft from the SE with a 10-second period, and combined energy up around 1293 to 1423 – that’s strong energy. But again, the wind is still onshore from the SSE or SE at 19 to 22 mph. The waves will be big, but they’ll be blown out, bumpy, and ugly. Over 8 ft, this is only for experts anyway, and with the wind, it’s a no-go.

There’s one brief moment on the 29th of July in the afternoon where the swell direction swings to the SSW and the period jumps to 19 seconds – a very long period groundswell. Combined energy hits 1221. But the swell height is only 3 ft, and the wind is still onshore from the SE. That long-period swell would be better suited to a point or reef, but it’s just too small and the wind’s wrong.

So, bottom line: there’s nothing to chase here. The whole 16-day forecast is a blank. For Anse Bougainville, this kind of run isn’t totally unusual – when the trade winds lock in from the SE, it can stay poor for a while. Forecasts can change, but right now, you’re better off leaving the boards in the car and finding something else to do.

Rusty.

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