Apollo Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Alright, we’ve got a classic Apollo Bay run coming up — a real slow-burner that starts with a big, raw pulse and then fades into smaller, cleaner days. The standout is the first day, Tuesday 14 July, but it’s a handful. The best true all-rounder window is Wednesday 15 July morning through to Friday 17 July, with a possible glassy cherry on Sunday 29 July if you’re patient.

The first recommendation is Apollo Bay, and the water temp is sitting right around average for this time of year, so no surprises there — just your usual winter chill.

Tuesday 14 July - This is the big one. The morning starts with a solid 18 ft WSW swell, period at 16 seconds, and a combined energy of 19461 — that’s very strong, serious wave energy. Wind is 30 km/h offshore from the W, so it’s clean, but let’s be real: 18 ft is expert territory only. Afternoon drops to 13 ft SW at 15 seconds, energy still high at 12069, with a cross-off WSW breeze. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing unless you’re a seasoned charger.

Wednesday 15 July - Wednesday morning is where it gets good for experienced surfers. 13 ft SW swell, 14 seconds, energy at 8029, with a 20 km/h offshore W breeze. That’s clean, powerful, and still big. Afternoon eases to 7 ft SW, 14 seconds, energy 1580, with a gentle 15 km/h offshore breeze — this is your sweet spot for the confident surfer.

Thursday 16 July - Morning has 7 ft SW, 15 seconds, energy 2083, with a light 10 km/h WSW offshore. Afternoon stays similar at 7 ft, same period, energy 2159, with a light cross-off. Clean, consistent, and a solid step down from the big stuff.

Friday 17 July - Friday morning: 6 ft SW, 16 seconds, energy 2610, with a 5 km/h NW cross-off. Afternoon: 7 ft SW, 17 seconds (very long period), energy 2358, and glassy conditions with a 5 km/h SW breeze. That 17-second period means the waves will have heaps of energy and long lulls, paddling out is easier, but it might break too straight at the beach — Apollo Bay has a point, so it’ll handle that nicely.

Saturday 18 July - Morning drops to 4 ft SW, 14 seconds, energy 716, glassy with a 5 km/h NNW breeze. Afternoon is 3 ft, 14 seconds, energy 526, glassy. Small but clean.

Sunday 19 July - 3 ft SSW, 12 seconds, energy 353, clean with a 10 km/h NNW cross-off. The crowd is sometimes around, so you might have company. Afternoon fades to 2 ft, cross-on, marginal.

From Monday 20 July through to Thursday 23 July morning, it’s a long stretch of small, weak surf — mostly under 4 ft and energy below 412. The wind is mostly cross-off but the juice just isn’t there. Thursday 23 July afternoon sees a kick: 5 ft SW, 16 seconds, energy 1190, clean with a light offshore — that’s a nice surprise.

Friday 24 July - 7 ft SW, 15 seconds, energy 2101, cross-off winds from NW at 20 km/h. It’s back to solid size but the wind is moderate, so it’s not as clean as the earlier days. Still, for experienced surfers, that’s a go.

Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 July - A southerly change brings 25 km/h cross-shore winds, chop, and dropping swell. Poor conditions — not worth it.

Monday 27 & Tuesday 28 July - More SE cross-on wind, messy, choppy. Stay home.

Wednesday 29 July - The last stand. 6 ft SW, 18 seconds (very long period), energy 2368, and glassy with a 5 km/h N breeze. That’s a beautiful surprise for the end of the forecast. The period is extra long, so the point at Apollo Bay will love it. Clean, solid, and a great way to finish.

Overall, the best on offer is Wednesday 15 July morning for the combo of 13 ft, 14-second groundswell, and clean offshore wind. The glassy Friday 17 July afternoon and the glassy Wednesday 29 July morning are the other two standouts. The rest is either too big, too small, or too windy.

Rusty.

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