Apollo Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and we’ve got a proper mixed bag of an outlook for Apollo Bay over the next couple of weeks. The sea’s gonna throw a lot at us, so we’ll need to pick our moments.

First up, Wednesday the 8th is a write-off. We’ve got a 5ft SW groundswell (combined energy of 2212) but the NE wind is blowing cross-on at 6 mph and the call is marginal at best. The water temp is sitting at 59°, and it’s a touch warmer than what we’d normally expect for this time of year – that anomaly of 2° is something to note if you’re in a steamer.

Thursday the 9th morning is where it gets interesting. The swell drops back to 4ft from the SW, but check this out – it’s glassy with only a whisper of northerly air at 3 mph. That’s the kind of clean you dream about. The wave energy is moderate (729), and with a 15-second period on that groundswell, the sets will be spaced out but full of push. It’s not huge, but it’ll be tidy. The afternoon gets a bit onshore again, so make that morning session happen.

Friday the 10th morning is almost as good. Cleared skies, a light NNW breeze at 6 mph is cross-off, giving you clean 4ft SW lines (714). The afternoon stays similar but the swell drops a notch. Saturday the 11th is a no-go – a fresh 19 mph NNW cross-off will have the 3ft swell feeling like a chaotic mess (316).

Then we hit a rough patch. From Saturday the 11th onward, the swell numbers get big, but the wind and conditions just don’t line up for clean, ridable surf. Sunday the 12th sees the swell jump to 6ft (1364), but a fresh 19 mph WNW cross-off messes it up. Monday the 13th morning the swell hits 10ft (3839) with a strong offshore, but that’s getting into expert territory and the call is marginal. By Monday afternoon, the swell is an enormous 21ft (26086) – that’s way too big for Apollo Bay, so only the mad or the very skilled are looking at this spot.

Tuesday the 14th through Thursday the 16th is a write-off of big, windy, rain-soaked surf. Swell stays well over 7ft, wind is howling from the west and south-west at 22-25 mph. Not for paddling.

But then, hold onto your leash. Friday the 17th morning and afternoon both come through with clean, light conditions and 4ft SW groundswell (988 and 1311). The breeze is light, cross-off in the morning and offshore by the arvo. That’s your standout window. The 18-second period on the afternoon sets means long, juicy lines. Saturday the 18th is also very clean with a light W/NW breeze and 4ft SW swell (849). These two days are the gem in this whole run.

Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th are poor again – cross-shore wind and lumpy conditions. Tuesday the 21st is offshore but tiny – 2ft and 2ft of swell (160 and 269), just not enough.

Now, look ahead to Wednesday the 22nd. That morning has a solid 8ft SW groundswell (2954) with a gentle cross-off breeze, making it excellent for experienced surfers. Thursday the 23rd is also a cracker – 7ft SW swell (1741) with a light NNW cross-off and clear skies. That’s another standout if you can handle a bit of size.

Overall, the best of this whole period is the clean, light-wind days around the 17th and 18th of July, and then the bigger, more powerful but still clean 22nd and 23rd. There are some long, quiet gaps of poor conditions in between, but don’t let that fool you – when it’s on, it’s on.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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