
Surf Forecasts:
Apollo Bay surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 17s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, SW swell with 5,761 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with SW 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Apollo Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Apollo Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s comin’ our way.
We’ve got Apollo Bay on the radar, and right out of the gate, Sunday morning (13th September) is nothin’ to write home about. The swell’s there at a modest 4.3ft from the SW, with a lovely long 15-second period, so there’s some grunt, but that cross-off wind from the N at 12 mph is keepin’ it from bein’ a stunner. The water’s sittin’ at 57°, which is pretty much average for this time of year – no surprises there. Wave energy’s moderate at 810. It’s a marginal call. Not the day to get excited.
Monday (14th) drops right off. We’re lookin’ at tiny 2.6ft waves with offshore wind from the W, which sounds nice for clean lines, but there’s just no push. The energy’s weak at 249. This is a “leave the board in the car” kind of day.
Then Tuesday (15th) – hold onto your leash. The swell jumps up to 9.8ft in the morning and 11.5ft by the afternoon, all from the SW. This is proper groundswell territory with a 13-14 second period. The combined energy is cranked: 4085 in the morning, and a massive 7556 in the arvo. That’s strong to very strong energy. But here’s the catch – the wind is a fresh cross-off at 18-22 mph, and there’s rain showers. The size is over 8.2ft, so this is strictly for the experts. The break is a beach and point setup, and with that long period, it’s gonna be a bit tricky – the swell might break a bit too straight on the beach sections, so look to the point if it’s workin’. For most, this looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing unless you’ve got the skills.
Wednesday (16th) keeps the size up at 9.8ft from the SSW, still with a long 15-second period and a cross-off breeze. Energy is still strong at 3887-3835. Again, expert territory. It’s clean, but it’s big.
Thursday (17th) is where we start to see the standout. The swell drops a bit to 6.6ft from the SSW in the morning, period 14 seconds. The energy is still moderate-strong at 1644. The wind is a gentle cross-off from the WSW at 9 mph, keepin’ it clean. The data says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the pick of the first week – a solid, powerful swell, clean conditions, and a size that’s big but manageable for those who know what they’re doin’. The 5.9ft afternoon is still good but a step down in quality.
Friday (18th) is another big day for the crew. We’ve got 6.9ft from the SW in the morning with an 18-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell. Energy is strong at 2605. Wind is a gentle cross-off from the NW at 9 mph. This will have heaps of energy and long lulls between sets, makin’ paddle-outs easier. The afternoon drops to 6.6ft with a 16-second period and energy at 1988 – also “excellent.” For the point break section, this could be magic.
Saturday (19th) fades a bit – 4.9ft from the SW, energy down to 829. Still surfable, but nothin’ special. Sunday (20th) is a write-off with poor conditions and strong winds.
Now we look into the second week. Monday 21st September brings a 8.2ft SW swell (15-second period, energy 3080-3268) but the wind is messy – cross-on in the morning, then light cross-shore in the arvo. It’s marginal.
Tuesday 22nd September is the real standout of the entire 16-day window. This is a monster. Morning sees 13.1ft from the SW with an 18-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell. The combined energy hits 11493 – that’s extreme. Wind is a moderate cross-off from the SSW at 12 mph, keepin’ it clean. The afternoon is still massive at 11.5ft with a 17-second period, energy 7201, and a light breeze. This is “exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers.” The size is over 8.2ft, so only the most skilled should even think about it. That kind of energy and period on a beach and point break will produce some serious slabs and lines on the point, but the beach will be a washing machine.
After that, Wednesday 23rd through Friday 25th drops off into messy, onshore, or cross-on winds with poor conditions. The swell stays around 3
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the SW by Tue afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 7 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
809 | 674 | 355 | 218 | 176 | 126 | 2787 | 4788 | 5715 | 3887 | 3835 | 2736 | 1644 | 1179 | 1303 | 2600 | 1983 | 1196 | 825 | 560 | 301 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:03PM2.25m | 2:04AM2.12m | 2:41PM2.36m | 2:34AM2.10m | 3:17PM2.38m | 3:03AM2.04m | 3:51PM2.34m | 3:30AM1.96m | 4:25PM2.23m | 3:55AM1.85m | 5:01PM2.08m | 4:19AM1.74m | 5:40PM1.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:10PM0.52m | 8:17AM0.23m | 8:47PM0.54m | 8:47AM0.16m | 9:22PM0.59m | 9:18AM0.14m | 9:54PM0.68m | 9:47AM0.17m | 10:25PM0.79m | 10:17AM0.24m | 10:55PM0.92m | 10:47AM0.34m | 11:27PM1.05m | ||||||||
6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 25 | 25 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 20 | 22 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 8 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
809 | 674 | 355 | 218 | 176 | 69 | 1188 | 2763 | 3477 | 3887 | 3835 | 2736 | 1644 | 1179 | 1303 | 2600 | 1983 | 1196 | 825 | 560 | 301 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 3 | NE 4 | SSW 11 | S 10 | WSW 19 | SW 12 | WSW 13 | S 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 22 | S 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | — | S 12 |
1 | 9 | 39 | 16 | 36 | 75 | 70 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 73 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 21 | SW 20 | — | SW 18 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 9 | 15 | — | 79 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 2 | NNE 3 | — | W 4 | WSW 6 | SW 7 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 |
1 | 3 | — | 1 | 12 | 126 | 2787 | 4788 | 5715 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 535 | 729 | 277 | 352 | 240 | 74 | 0 | 57 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 68 | 19 | 0 | 18 |
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.










