Bar Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a good look at what’s shaping up for Bar Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, for a spot that’s exposed to the south-east, this is a pretty grim run. The first real surfable window we get is a short one on Wednesday afternoon, the 12th of August. We’ve got a weak 3 ft S swell at 9 seconds, and the combined energy is only low (167). The wind is light offshore from the NW, so the surface will be clean, but the waves are tiny and the conditions are just ordinary. The water is running at 64°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year.

The next morning on Thursday the 13th sees a touch more size with 4 ft from the SSW, but a short, weak period of 7 seconds and a cross-shore wind from the SW make for a poor surf. That afternoon, the wind swings onshore SE, and it’s game over.

Friday morning the 14th is our one true standout. We’ve got a 4 ft S swell with a period of 10 seconds and the combined energy is moderate (273). The wind goes glassy from the WSW, and that’s a major positive. The conditions should be clean and surfable, and for a beginner-friendly beach break, that’s the best you’re going to get. Get out there early, because the onshore wind kicks in by the afternoon.

After that, it’s a long, bleak stretch. From Saturday the 15th all the way through to Sunday the 23rd of August, the onshore winds and choppy conditions dominate. The swell sticks around, but the setup is just ugly. The wind is mostly from the SE or ESE, blowing straight onshore, and the period drops to 7-8 seconds. There’s some moderate energy in the swell (peaking at 407 on the 15th afternoon), but with the wind and short period, it’s not worth your time. That’s a good nine days of poor surf.

There is a glimmer on Friday morning the 21st with a light offshore NW wind and a 3 ft E swell (8 seconds), but it’s still ordinary. Then Saturday the 22nd morning has a clean cross-offshore breeze with 3 ft ENE swell, but again, very ordinary.

The 24th of August brings a new pulse of S swell, hitting 5 ft (10 seconds) on Monday morning and 6 ft (11 seconds) on Monday afternoon. The combined energy jumps to 491 and then 776, but the wind is a cross-shore and then a strong cross-onshore. That’s a lot of energy but with a fresh breeze and lumpy conditions, it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session. The 27th of August afternoon sees a 5 ft S swell (9 seconds) with a cross-shore wind, but it’s marginal.

Overall, if you want a clean wave, hit Friday morning the 14th of August. Otherwise, it’s a long wait.

- Rusty

Read more