Bali Bay (Glen Reef) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Bali Bay (Glen Reef). This is a consistent reef setup that lights up with a solid swell from the right direction, but right now, it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

We’re starting off with a lot of energy in the water, but it’s not all good news. The surf is pumping, but it’s a case of too much of a good thing to begin with. The water’s also sitting at 57°, which is a couple of degrees cooler than what we’d normally expect for this time of year – a real nippy start.

Thursday the 20th is a write-off for most of us. We’ve got a big 12ft SW swell with a solid 13-second period, pumping a massive amount of energy into the reef (3587). That’s expert-only territory, and even then, the cross-shore wind is going to mess with the surface. The afternoon drops a touch to 10ft, but it’s still a big, messy affair.

Friday the 21st sees the swell back off to 7ft from the SW in the morning, and then 5ft in the afternoon. The period is still good at 11 seconds, but the wind is just cross, so it’s not going to be that clean. It’s a bit of a frustrating window.

The real standout in the first week turns out to be Tuesday the 25th. Early morning, there’s a clean 8ft SW groundswell (14-second period), pushing a heap of energy (2374). The wind is light and cross-offshore, which means the face will be clean. This is a proper session for experienced surfers, but the quality is there. The combined energy of all swells directed here is moderate at 1131.

We’ve got a few other moments to look at. Thursday the 27th morning is glassy with a small 4ft WSW swell – perfect for a longboard or a fun mid-length. Then, looking further out, Friday the 28th morning has a bigger 8ft WSW swell with a very long 15-second period. The wind is light and cross-offshore, setting up another excellent window for the experienced crew. The energy is strong (2717).

Now, the second week gets a bit wild. Tuesday the 1st of September throws a massive 12ft SW swell at us with a 15-second period, and the energy is just huge (4881). But the wind is cross, so it’s going to be a big, unruly mess. That’s a day for the jet skis or the kamikaze crew only. The next day, the 2nd, is completely blown out with strong winds.

The tail end of the forecast, on Friday the 4th of September, looks like a reward. A glassy morning with a tiny 4ft WSW swell – clean, calm, and all about the vibe. A perfect way to finish the 16-day run.

So, to sum it up: the best on offer is Tuesday the 25th for a clean, powerful session, and Friday the 28th for another big, clean swell. The rest of the time is full of promise but compromised by wind or size. Keep an eye on that 4th of September for a glassy, small-wave day.

Stay stoked, and keep your wetsuit zipped up tight.

Rusty.

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