
Surf Forecasts:
Apollo Bay surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 22 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 5,748 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period with SSW 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 15s period. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 23) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Tue 22nd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Apollo Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a bit of a wait before the real action kicks off at Apollo Bay.
We’re starting on Wednesday the 16th of September, but the surf is already pushing through. Nothing too special for the first few days though. Wednesday morning sees a solid 10ft SSW swell with a very long 15-second period, so there’s plenty of grunt behind it (combined energy 3804). The wind is cross-off from the SSW at 12 mph, keeping things reasonably tidy. But the tide and general conditions are a bit average, so it’s not firing cleanly. Water temp is 58°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so not a bad start on that front.
Thursday the 17th drops back a touch to 7ft from the SSW, still with decent period, but Thursday afternoon looks better with offshore WSW wind at 12 mph, making for cleaner lines. Friday the 18th has more SW groundswell pushing in at 7ft with a very long 17-second period, but it’s cross-off through the morning. Friday afternoon cleans up with offshore W wind and excellent conditions for experienced surfers (wave energy 1958).
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Saturday the 19th morning is the standout of this whole run. We’ve got a chunky 12ft WSW swell with 13-second period, offshore wind from the west at 12 mph, and combined energy roaring at 5642. This is powerful, clean, and square for the point. This is solid groundswell, so the point and reef setups at Apollo Bay should handle it well – but at 12ft, this is big for a beginner. This is only for experienced crew. The afternoon drops fast to 5ft and loses the juice.
Sunday the 20th drops to much smaller 5ft SW swell, but the wind goes fresh offshore from the NNW with a solid 19 mph, so the surface will be clean and lined up, but the energy is weak (868). Monday the 21st brings another pulse: 8ft SSW with 15-second period and cross-off winds, combined energy at 3213, but the score is still middling due to tide or maybe some lump from the cross-off. Tuesday the 22nd has 10ft SW with 16-second period and light cross-shore wind from the SSE, energy up to 5577, but the wind direction isn’t ideal – light cross-shore leaves a few ripples. Still looks like fun for the right bank.
After that, the swell drops right off. Wednesday the 23rd to Friday the 25th sees heights down to 3ft or less, with almost glassy conditions on Friday morning the 25th – dead calm, 3ft from the SW with 12-second period, energy only 284. That’s a longboard or flat day. If you’re patient, another solid SW pulse pushes in by Saturday the 26th of September, with 5ft to 6ft and a very long 19-second period, light winds, and good energy (2621). That Saturday afternoon looks excellent for experienced surfers, with clean lines and plenty of push on the reefs.
Into the second week, things get wind-affected. The 28th of September sees 5ft SW but fresh cross-off winds from the WNW at 19 mph, so it’s messy and lumpy. The 29th drops to 4ft, still light but nothing special. The 30th of September has strong offshore wind from the west at 22 mph, but only 3ft of swell – too small to really do much. Then on the 1st of October, we get a blast: 7ft SW with 16-second period, but the wind is a strong breeze from the SW at 25 mph, combined energy at 2085, but it’ll be blown out and choppy, more interesting for the kite crew than paddle surfers.
So, overall – Saturday the 19th morning is the best on offer, with that big 12ft WSW groundswell and offshore wind. It’s clean, powerful, and only for experienced surfers. The Friday afternoon the 18th and Saturday afternoon the 26th are also worth a look, especially if you want something solid but not quite as heavy. The rest of the period has lots of surf, but most of it is compromised by wind or questionable conditions. The gap after that first big weekend is only a few days, so it’s not a total blank, but you’ll be watching the charts closely for the second pulse later in the window.
Stay safe, keep an eye on that tide, and I’ll see you in the water.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sat night, fresh winds from the W by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3784 | 3487 | 2736 | 1644 | 1329 | 1554 | 2541 | 1958 | 1484 | 4536 | 732 | 1048 | 868 | 746 | 2212 | 3170 | 3887 | 3867 | 5486 | 5146 | 3260 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:51PM2.34m | 3:30AM1.96m | 4:25PM2.23m | 3:55AM1.85m | 5:01PM2.08m | 4:19AM1.74m | 5:40PM1.92m | 4:42AM1.62m | 6:30PM1.75m | 5:04AM1.50m | 7:51PM1.62m | 5:31AM1.37m | 9:46PM1.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:54PM0.68m | 9:47AM0.17m | 10:25PM0.79m | 10:17AM0.24m | 10:55PM0.92m | 10:47AM0.34m | 11:27PM1.05m | 11:20AM0.47m | 00:06AM1.19m | 11:58AM0.63m | 1:28AM1.30m | 12:58PM0.80m | |||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 25 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
3784 | 3487 | 2736 | 1644 | 1329 | 1554 | 2541 | 1958 | 1484 | 1102 | 732 | 1048 | 868 | 746 | 1307 | 3170 | 3887 | 3867 | 5486 | 5146 | 3260 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 15 | — | — | — | SW 21 | SW 18 | — | S 15 | S 14 | — | S 16 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 17 | SSE 16 | E 5 |
20 | 4 | — | — | — | 150 | 985 | — | 5 | 4 | — | 19 | 2 | 1 | — | 43 | 43 | 42 | 91 | 26 | 33 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 |
— | — | — | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | — | — | — | — | WSW 13 | W 3 | — | NNW 3 | W 3 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 |
— | — | — | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | 4536 | 3 | — | 3 | 5 | 2212 | — | — | — | — | — | 64 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 240 | 240 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 35 | 57 | 129 | 240 | 0 | 129 | 129 | 40 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Cape Otway | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










