Apollo Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and honestly, it’s been a bit of a slow start around Apollo Bay. The first few days are pretty average, with messy winds and not much joy. But don’t write it off yet – there’s a solid run of clean, quality swell coming up later in the week that’ll definitely get the stoke levels up.

We’ve got a decent pulse of long-period SW groundswell lining up. The water is sitting around 57°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, nothing to worry about.

Let’s kick off with Monday 17th August. The morning’s showing 1.3m (4.3 ft) of SW swell with a 16-second period, but the ENE cross-onshore wind is making things choppy. It’s only worth a 1 out of 10, and the combined energy is weak at 987 – a real struggle. By the afternoon, the wind shifts onshore and it’s a write-off.

Tuesday 18th isn’t much better. We’ve got 1.0m (3.3 ft) SW swell in the morning, but that NNE cross-on breeze keeps things messy. The energy drops away to 716 and the score stays at zero.

Wednesday 19th is still small, with 0.6m (2 ft) of SW swell. The morning is cross-shore with a fresh breeze and lumpy. The afternoon improves a bit with a cross-off breeze from NNW, cleaning it up, but the swell is just too small to get excited about.

Thursday 20th – now we’re talking. The morning sees a jump to 2.1m (6.9 ft) of short-period W swell at 8 seconds, but it’s cross-off and clean with a NW breeze. The energy is moderate at 770, and the tide might be tricky, but there’s potential. Then the afternoon gets good with a 0.5m (1.6 ft) SW swell and a solid offshore W wind at 15.5 mph. Clean conditions and a 2/10 rating. That’s a sign of things to come.

Friday 21st is where it really starts to fire. Both morning and afternoon have 1.4m (4.6 ft) of SW groundswell at 15 seconds, with light to moderate offshore W winds. The morning energy is strong at 1261, and the afternoon holds at 1010. Clean, glassy lines – this is your best bet for a fun session on a board. Score is a solid 3/10.

Saturday 22nd is the standout. The morning brings 1.8m (5.9 ft) of SW groundswell, with a 15-second period and offshore WNW winds. The energy jumps to 1581, and conditions are clean. The afternoon steps up further to 2.1m (6.9 ft) of SW swell with WSW offshore winds, and the energy hits 2002. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – solid, clean, and powerful. Score of 4/10. This is the one to point your car at.

Sunday 23rd keeps the good run going. Morning has 1.8m (5.9 ft) of SW swell at 14 seconds, with a cross-off NW breeze and clean conditions. Energy is very strong at 2028. The afternoon pumps out 2.0m (6.6 ft) of SW swell at 16 seconds, with a light NW breeze and energy soaring to 3085. Perfect, glassy conditions again. Another 4/10 day for the experienced crew.

Monday 24th still has some swell, with 1.6m (5.2 ft) in the morning and 1.4m (4.6 ft) in the afternoon, but the wind gets a bit stronger (WNW 15.5 mph) and the energy drops to 988. The tide might be a factor, but it’s still rideable.

After that, we hit a bit of a lull. Tuesday 25th through to Thursday 27th the swell drops away, and the wind turns cross-shore or onshore. Not much to write home about – small, messy surf with scores of zero or one.

Friday 28th has a bit of a pulse, 1.1m (3.6 ft) to 1.4m (4.6 ft) of SW swell, but it’s all onshore wind. The energy is moderate to strong (801–1144), but the wind ruins the quality.

Now, Saturday 29th August is a weird one. The morning shows a huge 5.0m (16.4 ft) of WSW swell, with a 12-second period and energy at 9779! That’s massive wave energy. But the wind is onshore from the ENE, so it’s going to be a complete mess – definitely only for the brave or the experts, and even then, probably more of a kite surfing day than paddle surfing. The afternoon drops to 2.2m (7.2 ft), still messy.

Sunday 30th and Monday 31st are similar stories – moderate to big swell, but the wind is onshore or cross-on, keeping things choppy and disappointing.

Tuesday 1st September fades out with 1.1m (3.

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