Apollo Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for Apollo Bay over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a run of surf coming, but it’s a mixed bag. The first real standout is right on the money for Monday, August 31st. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty standard for this time of year, nothing unusual there. Monday morning, we’re looking at a clean 6 ft SW swell, with a very long period of 15 seconds, and the wind is glassy out of the west. This is a proper groundswell, and at Apollo Bay, which is a beach and point setup, that long period will mean nice, well-shaped lines off the point. The combined swell energy is solid (1702), so there’s plenty of push. It’s a bit of a bigger swell, so it’s for the experienced crew, but it’s going to be beautiful. The afternoon holds up just as good, still glassy and clean.

Tuesday the 1st gets a bit messy with a strong cross-off wind, so the quality drops right off. Wednesday the 2nd is a story of two halves: morning has a clean 6 ft SW swell with a 16-second period and a moderate offshore wind. That’s a real good look. The afternoon builds to 7 ft, still clean with offshore wind. The energy is strong (1631 and 1804) and the period is long, so you’ll get those long, peeling waves.

Now, Thursday the 3rd – this is the big one, but it’s a warning, not a celebration. We’re talking a 15 ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and a strong offshore wind. The energy is massive (9584 in the morning, 12282 in the afternoon). This is for experts only. Over 8 ft, it gets critical, and this is well over that. The wind is offshore and clean, but paddling into a 15 ft face is a serious mission. Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are still big and on the messy side, with strong cross-off winds. Saturday afternoon actually hits a 23 ft SW swell with a 16-second period and energy of 28868, and the wind is strong offshore. That’s just too big for this break, even for the hardcore guys.

The following week starts to settle. Sunday the 6th is a good call with an 8 ft SW swell, 16-second period, and light cross-off winds. Clean, powerful, and much more manageable for experienced surfers. Monday the 7th drops to 4 ft in the morning, light offshore, so it’s small but clean for a beginner-plus session. The middle of the week picks up again, with Tuesday the 8th seeing a 15 ft SW swell and a very long 18-second period by the afternoon, with a cross-off wind. That’s big and powerful, again for the experts. Wednesday the 9th is a solid 10 ft SW swell with a 17-second period, and light cross-off winds – a really good, clean, powerful day for those who can handle it.

After that, the energy fades. Thursday the 10th through Sunday the 13th is a real gap. The swell drops below 5 ft, the winds get cross or cross-on, and the conditions are poor. There’s a small window on Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th with a 3 ft to 3 ft SW swell, clean offshore winds, but it’s small and weak. Not much to write home about.

So, the best on offer? Monday, August 31st is the pick for clean, glassy, long-period groundswell that will be a joy for the experienced surfer. And Wednesday, September 9th is a close second, with a solid 10 ft swell, a very long period, and light winds – that’s a great day for the more advanced crew.

Stay safe out there, and don’t be a hero on the 15 ft days.

- Rusty

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