Balangan Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a solid run of swell coming through Balangan (reef) and the window is looking good for experienced surfers for much of the stretch. The water is sitting at 78°F with a small anomaly of -0.9°F, so pretty typical for the season – nothing to throw the wetsuit on for.

The standout session is easily Wednesday afternoon, August 19th. You’re looking at a clean 8ft SSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period, and the offshore ESE wind at 16 mph is going to keep things tidy. The combined energy is pumping at 4140 – that’s strong to very strong energy, so only experienced surfers should be out there. This is the pick of the whole forecast.

Thursday the 20th keeps the quality high with similar morning and afternoon sessions – 8ft and 8ft SW swells, clean offshore winds, and energy in the 3000s. The wave period drops a touch to 16 seconds, but still very long-period groundswell. This setup is best for reefs and points, and Balangan is a reef, so it’s well suited.

Friday the 21st has a small drop in the morning to 5ft but the period jumps to 18 seconds, which is about as long as it gets. Afternoon picks back up to 8ft. Both sessions have offshore winds and strong energy (2603 and 3284). Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd morning stay in the 7ft to 6ft range with clean conditions, though Sunday afternoon the wind goes cross-offshore and the quality drops a notch.

Monday the 24th through Tuesday the 25th keep the 6ft to 6ft SSW swell going with offshore winds and moderate energy in the 1300-1800 range. Still good, but not as punchy as the opening days.

From Wednesday the 26th the energy starts to ease. Morning is still rideable at 5ft with 14-second period and offshore wind, but by the afternoon the wind goes cross-off and the period drops to 13 seconds, making it less interesting. The 27th has a very small morning at 4ft but a 12-second period, then a late spike in period on Thursday afternoon to 20 seconds on a 3ft swell – that’s a very long-period groundswell but tiny, so it’s marginal.

Then Friday the 28th brings a solid pulse back – 8ft and 7ft SSW swell with 16-second period and clean conditions. Energy jumps to 2799 and 2472, so this is another strong window for experienced surfers. The weekend of the 29th and 30th drops off again, with smaller 5ft to 6ft swells and cross-off winds, energy falling to the 700-1200 range. Sunday afternoon the 30th has a tiny 2ft swell but a huge 22-second period – very long period, best for points and reefs, but it’s small.

The final few days from Monday the 31st through Wednesday the 2nd of September pick back up with 5ft to 8ft SW swells, periods of 16-19 seconds, and offshore winds. Energy climbs back into the 2000-3300 range. Thursday the 3rd fades out with smaller 5ft to 5ft swells and cross-off winds.

Overall, the best of the best is Wednesday August 19th afternoon. After that, Friday August 21st and Friday August 28th are also standouts. Crowds are listed as “sometimes” at Balangan, so you might share the peak but it’s not a circus.

Rusty.

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