Surf Forecasts:
Bawa surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 19s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 5,392 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period with SSW 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 21s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bawa in the next 16 days are 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (WIB) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bawa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Howdy, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid stretch of surf coming up at Bawa, a reef and point break that loves a SW swell. It’s a consistent spot for the advanced crew. Water’s about 86°F, right around average for the time of year.
The ball gets rolling Sunday, August 16th with a 5ft swell from the S, long 14-second period, but cross-on wind keeps it mediocre. Monday the 17th is a total dud – onshore junk, not worth paddling out.
Then it fires. Tuesday morning, August 18th, is pure glass. Swell runs 5ft from the SSW with a 17-second period. Wave energy is 2691 (strong). This is proper groundswell, stacking up beautifully on the reef. Experienced only, but the lines will be clean.
Wednesday the 19th is the big one. Glassy again in the morning, swell hits 8ft from the SSW, 18-second period, energy at 4629 (very strong). That’s a heavy, powerful swell with some storms around, but the morning session is all-time. Experts only.
Thursday the 20th stays big at 10ft, but there’s a light cross-shore ruffle. Still a beast for the brave.
Friday the 21st through Sunday the 23rd sees the swell drop, but wind stays messy or onshore. Not much to chase.
From Monday the 24th to Wednesday the 27th, it’s mostly knee-to-waist high with a few clean windows. Wednesday the 26th morning is glassy at 3ft – good for a cruise.
Into the second week, Thursday the 28th and Friday the 29th are small and average. Saturday the 30th morning is a surprise: glassy, 6ft from the SW with an 18-second period. Energy is 2252 (moderate to strong). Nice shape.
Sunday the 31st ends it clean – glassy morning, 5ft from the SW, 16-second period, energy 1557. That long period groundswell will peel down the reef and point with empty, powerful lines.
Your absolute standouts are Tuesday the 18th morning and Wednesday the 19th morning. Get out there for that Wednesday glass-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun afternoon, min 27°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
808 | 305 | 305 | 301 | 721 | 1238 | 3441 | 2812 | 4523 | 5037 | 5149 | 4006 | 3304 | 2479 | 1972 | 1632 | 3239 | 2716 | 2220 | 1690 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:33PM0.72m | 8:35AM0.68m | 9:10PM0.70m | 9:04AM0.59m | 9:48PM0.67m | 9:29AM0.50m | 10:30PM0.62m | 9:51AM0.41m | 11:26PM0.56m | 10:03AM0.34m | 00:55AM0.53m | 12:10PM0.28m | 2:41AM0.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:28AM0.11m | 2:39PM0.05m | 3:07AM0.17m | 3:03PM0.08m | 3:49AM0.22m | 3:27PM0.11m | 4:39AM0.27m | 3:54PM0.14m | 6:06AM0.31m | 4:29PM0.18m | 11:24AM0.28m | 5:37PM0.22m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
6:38 | — | — | 6:38 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 6 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 10 | SW 14 | SSE 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
808 | 117 | 305 | 141 | 721 | 1238 | 3441 | 2812 | 4523 | 5037 | 5149 | 4006 | 3304 | 2479 | 1972 | 1632 | 3239 | 2716 | 2220 | 1690 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | S 10 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 21 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | S 5 | S 20 | SSW 19 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 8 |
218 | 305 | 115 | 301 | 212 | 1176 | 48 | 1361 | 29 | 55 | 49 | 44 | 61 | 14 | 396 | 1106 | 54 | 50 | 56 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | S 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 22 | SSW 13 | WSW 22 | WNW 8 | WSW 20 | WSW 20 | — | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | WNW 8 | S 5 | W 9 | — | W 15 | W 15 | S 20 |
59 | 162 | 35 | 38 | 375 | 277 | 47 | 49 | 77 | 75 | — | 61 | 60 | 41 | 13 | 40 | — | 19 | 4 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 138 | 15 | 15 | 138 | 15 | 0 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 50 | 50 | 15 | 15 | 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.











