Apollo Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and we’ve got a proper mixed bag coming up for Apollo Bay over the next 16 days. The forecast starts this Saturday, August 1st, with only a glimmer of action, but there’s a monster pulse building for the second week that’s got my heart thumping. Let’s get into it.

We kick off Saturday morning (August 1st) with a 3.6ft swell from the southwest, but it’s carrying a long 17-second period. The wind is a light NNE cross-shore, so it’s a bit bumpy, and the combined energy is sitting at a moderate 865 – not much to write home about. The water temp is a near-average 57.4°, feels about right for this time of year. It’s a marginal start, but the afternoon shows a jump: 5.9ft from the southwest with the same 17-second period, and the wind swings to a light cross-off from the NNW, cleaning it right up. The energy jumps to 2787, which is really starting to hum. This is a solid option for experienced surfers, though the long period might make the point break a bit straight, so keep that in mind.

Sunday (August 2nd) has a similar 5.9ft southwest swell in the morning, but the wind is a stronger cross-shore from the north, creating some chop. The afternoon drops a touch to 5.2ft with a cross-off breeze, but the energy is still strong at 1301. It’s surfable, but not the standout.

Monday (August 3rd) brings rain and a fresh offshore wind from the west at 18.6 mph in the morning, with a 4.3ft southwest swell. The energy is moderate at 836, and the offshore wind is clean, but the quality is still marginal. The afternoon is better with a 3.0ft WSW swell and a moderate offshore wind, energy at 886, and the forecast says "very good conditions" – a clean little window if you’re keen.

Now, Tuesday (August 4th) gets a bit wild. Early morning we see a 9.8ft swell from the WSW with a 12-second period – that’s a big, powerful wave (energy at 3131). But the wind is a strong cross-off from the southwest, and the comment says "marginal surf forecast." This is big, short-period swell, which is messy and only for experts. The afternoon drops right off to 2.6ft, so don’t get too excited.

The rest of the first week (August 5th to 7th) is small stuff – 2.0ft to 3.6ft swells, mostly clean with light offshore or glassy winds. The energy is weak to moderate (347 to 1252). The real standout in this first week is Friday morning (August 7th): a 3.6ft southwest swell, 16-second period, and glassy conditions from a light NE breeze. The energy is strong at 1252, and they’re calling it "very good conditions." That’s your best bet for a clean, fun session before the weekend chop hits.

Then we hit a gap. Saturday and Sunday (August 8th and 9th) are a write-off – strong onshore and cross-shore winds, messy chop, and poor surf conditions. The swell is small (2.3ft to 3.9ft), and the energy is weak. Not worth paddling out.

But hold onto your board, because the second week is where it gets epic. Monday (August 10th) sees a building trend with a 4.9ft WSW swell in the afternoon, energy at 1494, and a clean cross-off wind. Tuesday (August 11th) is the one. Morning: 13.1ft from the WSW, 12-second period, light offshore wind, and a massive energy of 6128. By the afternoon, it’s 14.8ft from the WSW, 14-second period, still light offshore, and the energy absolutely explodes to 9866. They’re calling it "exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers." This is a monster groundswell, but that 14.8ft is only for the brave – beginners and intermediates stay out of the water. The long period means it’s a proper groundswell, which will wrap beautifully into the point at Apollo Bay, offering some of the best waves you’ll see all year. This is the standout of the entire outlook.

Wednesday (August 12th) still holds strong at 8.2ft to 9.8ft, with clean offshore or cross-off winds, and energy in the 4000s. Thursday and Friday (August 13th and 14th) drop to 5.2ft to 6.6ft, still with moderate winds, but the energy is solid (1489 to 1730). The last weekend (August 15th and 16th) fades to 3.6ft to 4.6ft, with onshore winds and messy conditions, so the ride is over.

If you’re a competent surfer, your focus is August 11th. The morning is huge, but the afternoon is the peak – 14.8ft, clean, offshore, and all that southwest energy. Just be prepared for the crowd – Apollo Bay is a popular spot, and with waves like that, you won’t be alone. The point break handles that long-period swell beautifully, so it’s the pick of the whole forecast.

Rust

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