Apollo Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.76° S 143.68° E

Apollo Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 16 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Apollo Bay sea temperature is
14.0° C
0.8° 

Apollo Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Apollo Bay surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 9,747 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period with WSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Apollo Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Apollo Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Apollo Bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Thu 20th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 1AM (Sat 22nd Aug)13ft (4.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sat 22nd Aug)15ft (4.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Apollo Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at the next couple of weeks for our stretch of coast. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest, with the first few days looking pretty average before we start seeing some proper size and cleaner conditions come into play. There’s some solid groundswell on the cards, but we gotta be patient to get to it.

The water temp is sitting at 57.2°, which is about normal for this time of year, so a decent steamer is still the go.

We kick things off with a slow start. This Sunday the 16th has a bit of swell around 3.6ft to 3.9ft from the southwest with a 14-second period, but it’s onshore and the wave comment is pretty blunt about it being marginal. The energy is moderate at 929, but it’s not going to be anything to write home about. Monday the 17th is similar, maybe a touch bigger at 4.3ft, but the wind is cross-onshore and it’s just not clean. Tuesday follows suit, still small and choppy. From Wednesday the 19th through to Thursday the 20th, the swell drops right off, down to 1.6ft to 2ft. The wind goes offshore on Thursday, which is nice, but there’s just not enough water moving to make it worthwhile. It’s a flat spell, so you’re not missing much.

Now, here’s where things start to pick up. Friday the 21st looks like the first real chance to get wet. The morning has a cross-offshore breeze with 3.6ft of southwest swell, period 15 seconds, and the energy is building back up to 950. But the standout is the afternoon. The wind swings offshore and it’s clean, with 3.3ft of swell and a punchy 18-second period. The energy is up at 1018, and the guidance labels it as “very good surf conditions.” It’s not huge, but it’ll be clean and lined up. This is your pick for the first week.

But hold on, because the real event is coming. Saturday the 22nd sees a massive pulse of energy roll in, with the combined energy hitting a whopping 11218. The morning is showing a solid 14.8ft of southwest swell, but the period is a shorter 14 seconds and it’s cross-offshore. That size is pushing well past the “expert only” mark, so it’s not for the faint of heart. The afternoon backs off a bit to 7.2ft, still from the southwest, but with clean offshore wind. That’s still big, powerful surf for experienced surfers only. Apollo Bay (Great Ocean Road) will be handling a lot of water, so if you’re not confident, give it a miss. Sunday the 23rd is still big, around 6.9ft, with a 15-second period, but the wind is cross-offshore and it stays that way through the day. Definitely a step down from Saturday but still a serious session.

Monday the 24th is another giant. We’re looking at 14.8ft in the morning, jumping to 16.4ft by the afternoon, with a 14-second southwest swell. The energy numbers are absolutely huge, over 12000, and while the wind is fresh offshore and clean, this is for the top-tier chargers only. This is big, raw ocean. If you’re not a very experienced surfer, this is a day to watch from the headland. Tuesday the 25th eases off to a still-chunky 7.9ft, but the wind swings cross-shore, so it’ll be messier.

After that big pulse, the week starts to settle down. Wednesday the 26th sees the swell drop back to 4.3ft to 4.6ft, but the wind is onshore and it’s sloppy. Thursday the 27th has some size at 6.9ft with an 18-second period, which is classic long-period groundswell, but the wind is only light cross-shore, so it might be a bit lumpy. The energy is strong at 3444, but it’s not perfect.

Now, for the second week, the promise is there but it’s a bit further out. Friday the 28th brings 5.2ft to 5.6ft of southwest swell with a cross-offshore breeze, and the afternoon looks clean with a 15-second period. It’s a decent session. But the real standout of the second week has to be Saturday the 29th. The morning is looking glassy, with wind almost nothing out of the west-northwest. There’s 3.6ft of swell on a 13-second period. It’s not big, but it’s clean as a whistle. The wave comment says “good surf conditions,” and with glassy conditions like that, it’ll be worth paddling out for some fun, clean waves. Not a big day, but a quality one.

Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st round out the period with 5.2ft

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
2
3
9
7
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SW
14
1.2
SW
14
1.1
SW
14
1.3
SW
16
1.4
SW
16
1.4
SW
15
1
SW
14
1
SW
16
0.8
SW
16
0.6
SW
15
0.6
WSW
15
0.6
WSW
14
0.6
SW
17
0.6
WSW
14
0.9
SW
14
1.1
SW
15
1
SW
18
4
WSW
16
4.5
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
2.3
SW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
529
590
507
854
1027
868
412
496
287
178
156
140
238
130
284
523
614
7961
8740
1956
2634
Wind (km/h)
10
ESE
15
ESE
10
NE
15
ENE
15
ENE
15
NE
15
NE
20
NE
20
NNE
25
N
25
NNE
20
NW
15
WNW
15
W
15
NW
20
NW
20
W
25
WSW
25
SW
20
W
15
NW
Wind State
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
2:57PM2.16m
3:05AM2.24m
3:41PM2.21m
3:36AM2.16m
4:22PM2.19m
4:05AM2.05m
5:03PM2.12m
4:33AM1.92m
5:46PM2.00m
4:59AM1.78m
6:35PM1.86m
5:23AM1.65m
7:37PM1.74m
Low Tide
8:59PM0.46m
9:23AM0.25m
9:39PM0.54m
9:56AM0.19m
10:17PM0.66m
10:28AM0.19m
10:54PM0.79m
11:01AM0.24m
11:30PM0.95m
11:34AM0.32m
00:08AM1.11m
12:11PM0.44m
00:56AM1.26m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:52
 mm
5
2
4
2
Temp °C
13
12
11
14
13
12
17
18
14
16
14
13
15
15
10
16
14
10
12
11
9
Feels °C
10
9
9
10
10
10
13
14
11
11
12
10
11
11
6
11
10
4
6
6
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Apollo Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Apollo Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Apollo Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Apollo Bay surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Apollo Bay) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Apollo Bay may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Apollo Bay is 91 km (57 miles) from the city of Geelong West. If you plan a holiday in Cape Otway, look for hotels and other accommodation in Geelong West. Geelong West has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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