Apollo Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

We're starting off with a solid pulse of southwest swell, and it's going to be a ripper for the experienced crew. For a beginner-plus spot, the size is going to be a bit much for a few days, but the quality is there for those who are keen. The water temp is sitting at 58°F, which is about average for this time of year, so a decent wetsuit is the go.

On Wednesday 15 July, Apollo Bay is the main event. The morning sees a 13ft swell from the WSW, with a period of 14 seconds, and a solid 12 mph offshore wind. The combined energy is a massive 7600, so it's pumping. This is proper expert-only territory. The afternoon drops to a still-chunky 7ft, with the same offshore wind, and the energy is 1580, so still excellent for experienced surfers. Thursday 16 July keeps the good run going with a 8ft southwest swell and a long 15-second period. The wind is a light 6 mph cross-off in the morning, switching to offshore in the afternoon. The energy is 2457 and 2392 respectively, so it's a strong, clean groundswell. Friday 17 July offers a 7ft southwest swell, a very long 16-second period, and light cross-off winds turning to offshore. Energy is still high at 1978 and 1654. This long period stuff will be lining up nice and clean, but at a beach-and-point setup like this, the long period can make the waves break a bit straight on the beach section, so the point might be the better option.

Saturday 18 July starts with a glassy morning; the swell drops to 4ft from the southwest, with a 14-second period and a lighter energy of 639. It's a good, clean session for the intermediate crowd. The afternoon turns onshore, so it's a morning-only call. Sunday 19 July sees the swell drop further to 2ft, with a glassy afternoon and a period of 11 seconds. The energy is low, around 240-292, so it's a small, clean day for the longboard or a fun foil. The Monday and Tuesday after that are in the 3ft to 4ft range, with clean conditions and cross-off winds, but the energy is weak, all under 500. It's a bit of a lull.

Then we get another solid pulse. On Wednesday 23 July, the morning kicks off with a 5ft southwest swell and a 19 mph offshore wind. The energy is 1194, and it's described as marginal, but that's likely due to the strong wind. The afternoon is the standout: a 8ft southwest swell with a 16-second period, a 16 mph offshore wind, and a strong energy of 2548. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Thursday 24 July is the pick of the second week. The morning has a 8ft southwest swell, a long 17-second period, and a cross-off wind. The energy is huge at 3901. The afternoon holds the same size with a 16-second period, a light cross-off, and energy of 3077. This is a big, clean groundswell that will be firing on the point. It's getting up to that 8ft mark, so it's expert territory. The Friday 25 July sees a 7ft southwest swell, but the wind is a cross-off 16 mph, so the energy is still high at 1941, but it's a bit bumpy. The afternoon has a 16 mph offshore, which cleans it up nicely.

After that, it tapers off. The 26th has 5ft swell, the 27th is 3ft, and the 28th is tiny but with a very long 18-second period, meaning the energy is weak. Then on Wednesday 29 July, we get a final pulse: a 8ft WSW swell, with an 11-second period and a 16 mph offshore wind. The energy is 1484, so it's a solid, clean day for the experts, but the period is shorter, so it won't be as clean as the long-period stuff.

The best on offer is the Wednesday 15 July morning session for the big-wave hunters, and the Thursday 24 July for the clean, powerful groundswell. If you're not in the expert bracket, the glassy Saturday 18 July morning is your best bet for a fun, manageable wave.

Rusty, signing off.

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