Bali Bay (Glen Reef) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s the surf outlook for Bali Bay, the only break in the picture for the next stretch. There’s swell on the way, but the wind’s gonna mess with it some days, and other days it’ll be pure gold.

Starting off, Tuesday the 1st has a solid 10ft SW swell with a 13-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore from the SSW at 9 mph, leaving it choppy and messy. The wave energy is strong at 3415, but it’s not clean. Wednesday the 2nd is similar — 10ft SW swell, cross-onshore, and still a bit rough. Thursday the 3rd sees the swell drop to 8ft, but by the afternoon a 31 mph SE wind kicks in, turning it into near-gale conditions — that’s more of a kite-surfing day. Friday the 4th stays windy with 8ft swell, but the wind is cross-offshore, so the surface is clean, though the size and wind make it a tough paddle.

Saturday the 5th morning is a breath of fresh air. The swell drops to 6ft from the SSE with a short 8-second period. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the ESE at 9 mph, so the waves are clean and manageable. The wave energy is moderate at 550. It’s a fun size for intermediates, though the short period means it’s a bit crumbly — still a good session.

The real standout is Sunday the 6th morning. The swell picks up to 6ft from the SW with a very long 17-second period — that’s proper groundswell. The wind is almost glassy from the ESE at 3 mph, so it’s dead clean. The wave energy is 2647, packing plenty of punch. The reef at Bali Bay will handle this long-period swell well, giving you peeling waves. For experienced surfers, this is the pick of the lot. Crowds are sometimes a factor, so expect some company.

The rest of the first week and into the second fades out. Monday the 7th has smaller 4–4ft SW swell, with cross-shore breezes and a bit of chop. Wave energy is 852–933. Tuesday the 8th through Wednesday the 9th is small, with 2–3ft, and the wind shifts around — not great. Thursday the 10th morning gets a little lift: 6ft from the WSW with an 11-second period, light cross-offshore wind from the SE, and clean conditions. Wave energy is 686. It’s a decent session.

Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th are small again, 4–5ft, with light cross-shore winds and marginal conditions. Sunday the 13th sees a bump to 6–7ft from the WSW, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy — wave energy is 2269, but it’s messy. Monday the 14th has clean cross-offshore wind but only 4–5ft of swell. The late call is for Wednesday the 16th: a big 8ft SW groundswell with a 15-second period, and the wind is very light from the S at 3 mph. The wave energy is 3051. That’s a powerful, glassy swell for experts only.

Water temperature is 56°F, which is 4°F colder than usual, so it’s properly chilly — bring the thick wetsuit.

Best windows: Sunday the 6th morning for clean, quality groundswell, and Wednesday the 16th morning for a big, clean swell if you’re an experienced surfer. The rest of the period is a mix of small, clean days and windy, choppy ones.

Rusty.

Read more