Surf Forecasts:
Bawa surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 19s period, SSW swell with 4,720 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bawa this week:
The surf forecast for Bawa over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 20s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bawa in the next 16 days are 2.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (WIB) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bawa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty.
We’re looking at Bawa, a reef and point break that takes a solid SW swell. It’s a very consistent spot for the advanced crew, and with the water temp sitting at 86°F, we’re about average for this time of year—nothing wild there. Straight up, there’s a gap at the start. No surf worth mentioning until Thursday the 13th of August, so sit tight for a couple of days.
Thursday morning kicks off, but it’s messy. We’ve got a 6ft S swell with a period of 15 seconds, so that’s a nice groundswell, but the wind is onshore from the S at 6 mph, and there’s even a risk of thunderstorms. The combined energy is 1642, which is strong, but the wind and conditions are marginal. The afternoon, though, is where it’s at. The wind goes glassy from the SSW at 3 mph, the swell holds at 6ft, and the energy jumps to 1863. The waves are clean and excellent for experienced surfers. This is a standout window.
Friday the 14th, the morning is a bit cross-on from the SE at 6 mph, with the same 6ft swell but the period stretches to 17 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell, which will make the waves shape up really nicely at this reef and point. The energy is pumping at 2198. Still, it’s a little choppy. The afternoon though, glass again from the NNW at 3 mph, with 6ft at 16 seconds. Excellent conditions. This is another prime window.
Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th look clean and fun. Saturday morning and afternoon are both glassy, with swell dropping slightly from 5ft to 5ft, still a solid 14-second period. Energy stays in that 1300-1600 range. It’s going to be clean and fun. Sunday morning is clear and glassy with 5ft swell and 14-second period, energy at 1013. That’s a really nice, manageable size for the advanced surfer. The crowd profile says “sometimes,” so you might have to share the peak, but nothing crazy.
The surf then fades out Monday the 17th and into the middle of the week. By Monday morning, we’re down to 3ft from the SW, and the wind is cross. Poor conditions, so skip it.
Now, the good news: Tuesday the 18th morning, we see a new pulse coming from the SSW at 4ft, but with a period of 21 seconds. That is a *very* long period groundswell, and the energy is 2423. But the wind is cross-onshore and choppy, so it’s not clean. The afternoon pushes to 5ft, with a 20-second period and energy of 2964. Still, the wind is onshore and making it messy. This is a tease.
The real beast hits Wednesday the 19th. Morning brings 8ft from the SSW with an 18-second period, energy of 3914. Afternoon is the same, with energy hitting 4769. This is serious swell—expert territory only. At 8ft, it’s too big for beginners. But the wind is cross-onshore and choppy. It's powerful but not pristine. Thursday the 20th holds at 8ft from the SSW, with 16-second period and energy still over 3500. Again, cross-onshore wind, but the energy is undeniable.
We get a drop in wind strength on Friday the 21st, but it’s still cross-onshore with 7ft SSW swell. The quality stays marginal through the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd. Sunday the 23rd morning, though, is a highlight. The wind goes glassy from the ESE, the swell drops to 6ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, and the energy is 1210. Clean conditions for the advanced surfer. The crowds might show up for this one.
Into the final week, Monday the 24th morning is glassy with 4ft SSW swell. Clean and fun. The 25th and 26th have smaller swell and messy wind. The last really promising window is on Wednesday the 26th morning, with 6ft from the SSW at 17 seconds, and energy of 1834. But the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s not perfect. Thursday the 27th is similar. The 28th fades out.
The Standouts: If you are an experienced surfer, the absolute best on offer are the glassy afternoons on Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th, with that solid 6ft S groundswell at 15-17 seconds and no wind. For a bit of size with good conditions, Sunday the 23rd morning and Monday the 24th morning are also worth circling on the calendar. The 8ft days on the 19th and 20th are pure power, but the cross-onshore wind will keep it from being a perfect score.
Stay on it.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 27°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 15 | S 19 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1280 | 1263 | 1526 | 1643 | 1438 | 1555 | 1012 | 840 | 670 | 700 | 604 | 368 | 305 | 301 | 721 | 1176 | 1625 | 4720 | 3759 | 4583 | 4461 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:41PM0.61m | 6:54AM0.88m | 7:20PM0.67m | 7:30AM0.84m | 7:57PM0.70m | 8:04AM0.77m | 8:33PM0.72m | 8:35AM0.68m | 9:10PM0.70m | 9:04AM0.59m | 9:48PM0.67m | 9:29AM0.50m | 10:30PM0.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:52PM0.01m | 00:23AM0.03m | 1:22PM0.01m | 1:07AM0.04m | 1:49PM0.02m | 1:48AM0.07m | 2:15PM0.03m | 2:28AM0.11m | 2:39PM0.05m | 3:07AM0.17m | 3:03PM0.08m | 3:49AM0.22m | 3:27PM0.11m | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 6:38 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
mm | 5 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 15 | S 19 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 13 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 |
1280 | 1263 | 1526 | 1643 | 1438 | 1555 | 1012 | 840 | 670 | 700 | 604 | 368 | 255 | 301 | 721 | 1074 | 1310 | 4720 | 3759 | 4583 | 4461 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 20 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | S 12 | SW 13 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | W 8 | W 7 | WSW 20 | W 11 |
351 | 373 | 401 | 367 | 269 | 159 | 405 | 376 | 269 | 276 | 262 | 251 | 305 | 171 | 212 | 1176 | 1625 | 43 | 40 | 75 | 58 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | S 18 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WNW 11 | S 18 | S 18 | S 18 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | S 11 | SW 13 | W 8 | S 9 | WSW 20 | WSW 20 | — |
11 | 227 | 223 | 188 | 75 | 37 | 242 | 161 | 219 | 37 | 43 | 38 | 49 | 84 | 110 | 173 | 29 | 39 | 77 | 37 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | SSE 8 | WSW 10 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 38 | 74 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 138 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nias | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Indonesia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Bawa Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Bawa provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bawa can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bawa surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Bawa) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Bawa may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Nias? If you are looking for accommodation near Bawa, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nias, consider staying in Afia which is 67 km (42 miles) away.











