Bali Bay (Glen Reef) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. We’ve got a long, weird window ahead – mostly too much of a good thing, if you can believe it. Let’s talk about Bali Bay (Glen Reef).

First up, the water temp is sitting pretty much average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The reef handles a big swell, but we’ve got a serious issue: the first few days are a tease. Wednesday morning (15 July) is a wash – 5ft SW swell at 17 seconds, but it’s cross-shore and the energy is moderate (1305), so it’s just not coming together. Not worth paddling out for.

But Wednesday afternoon, that’s a different story. Glassy conditions, 8ft SSW swell at 16 seconds, and the energy is pumping (3240). That’s groundswell, long-period, perfect for a reef like this. The wind is dead calm – glassy. This is a standout for experienced surfers. It’s big, clean, and the reef will handle it. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so keep an eye out.

Thursday morning (16 July) holds the same 8ft SW swell, glassy again, zero wind. It’s still a bit much for beginners, but if you’ve got the chops, it’s another solid session. The energy is still high (2381). Thursday afternoon, though, the wind shifts cross-on and the quality drops – not worth it.

Friday and Saturday are smaller, cleaner, but the energy drops off. Friday morning has 7ft SW at 11 seconds, clean with light cross-off wind, energy moderate (897). It’s okay, but not the standout. Saturday morning (18 July) is glassy with 3ft SW at 13 seconds – small but fun if you’re on a longboard, energy low (601).

Then we hit a gap. From Sunday morning (19 July) through to Monday afternoon (20 July), it’s all marginal – cross-onshore, lumpy, energy around 1000-1100. Not worth it.

Now, Tuesday 21 July – this is where it gets wild. Tuesday morning, the swell jumps to 13ft SW at 15 seconds, energy massive (6512). Glassy wind. But this is too big for the break – only for experts, and even then, it’s pushing it. The same goes for Tuesday afternoon (12ft, 5792 energy). Wednesday and Thursday (22-23 July) are even bigger, with strong winds and lumpy conditions – the reef will be a washing machine. Don’t bother unless you’re a pro and want a beatdown.

Friday 24 July through Sunday 27 July – the swell drops back to 7-8ft range, but the wind is messy or cross-onshore. The standout here is Sunday 26 July afternoon: 8ft SSE swell at 7 seconds, glassy, energy 1486. That’s a short-period swell, so it’ll be a bit crumbly at the reef, but clean and fun for experienced surfers. Monday 27 July morning also looks good: 5ft W swell at 12 seconds, clean, energy 1577 – a nice long-period groundswell, glassy by afternoon.

Then from Tuesday 28 July through to the end of the window (30 July), it’s back to massive, dangerous swell – 12ft to 13ft, 15-second periods, energy over 7000. Glassy at times, but it’s too big for Bali Bay. Only for the bravest, and even then, it’s a gamble.

So, the best on offer: Wednesday afternoon 15 July and Thursday morning 16 July are the true standouts – big, clean, long-period groundswell, glassy. After that, Monday 27 July is the best small window, with clean, waist-to-chest high waves and calm wind. The rest is either too big, too windy, or too marginal.

Signing off, Rusty.

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