Apollo Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Apollo Bay over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, with some proper swell windows but plenty of wind and tide hassles in between.

We start off with a big pulse of swell right out of the gate on Tuesday 15th September, but the wind is nasty – a strong 30 km/h cross-off from the WSW. There’s a massive 15 ft SW swell with a period around 13 seconds, and the combined energy is pumping hard (8827), but it’s a wild, unruly scene. Not the kind of day you’d paddle out unless you’re seriously experienced and keen for a wrestle. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

Wednesday 16th sees the swell easing a bit to 10 ft from the SW, still a long period groundswell at 15 seconds, but the wind stays cross-off from the south and southwest. It’s cleaner, but still a big, powerful ocean. The energy drops a little (3590), but it’s still solid.

Thursday 17th drops to 7 ft from the SSW, with lighter WSW winds. The energy is down to 1644, so it’s more manageable, but still not what I’d call perfect.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Friday 18th September is a standout. Morning has a 7 ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period, light cross-off from the NW, and the energy is 3326. The afternoon holds 6 ft with a 16-second period. The wind is light and cross-off, and the conditions are clean. This is a solid groundswell window for Apollo Bay – the long period means the waves will have shape and power, and the offshore wind will keep them clean. Best of the run so far.

Saturday 19th is smaller, with 4-4 ft SW swell, but the afternoon brings a light offshore from the west. The energy is down to 503, but it’s clean and glassy. A nice little session for the beginner-plus crew.

Sunday 20th has a split personality. The morning is tiny (3 ft) with strong NNW cross-off winds – a write-off. But the afternoon? A sudden jump to 16 ft from the WSW, with a fresh offshore wind from the west. That’s a big, clean, offshore day for the experienced. The energy is huge (8122). If you’re a solid surfer, that afternoon window is the true standout of the entire forecast.

Monday 21st sees the swell back to 7-10 ft from the SSW, with moderate cross and cross-off winds. It’s surfable but not magic.

Tuesday 22nd is a mess – onshore winds from the ENE and NE chop up a 7-10 ft SSW swell. Not worth it.

Wednesday 23rd is small (4-5 ft) but the afternoon has light offshore wind from the WSW. Clean, but small.

Thursday 24th and Friday 25th are tiny – under 3 ft mostly. Friday morning the 25th has a glassy 5 ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and the energy is 816. That’s a beautiful, clean little window for a sunrise paddle.

Then we get another proper pulse on Saturday 26th September. Morning has a 6 ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period, light cross-off, and energy of 3926. The afternoon turns glassy with a 10 ft SW swell, also 19 seconds, and energy of 5766. That afternoon is absolutely world-class for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, long-period groundswell. That’s the second true standout.

Sunday 27th sees the swell ease but wind turns onshore and messy. Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th are smaller but clean with cross-off winds. Wednesday 30th has a light offshore and a clean 5 ft SW swell with a 15-second period – a lovely way to finish the run.

Overall, the best on offer are Friday 18th September for the clean, long-period groundswell, and Saturday 26th September afternoon for the glassy, powerful 10 ft SW swell. The rest is a mix of wind and size, but there’s plenty to pick from for the patient surfer.

Stay salty, Rusty.

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