Surf Forecasts:
Bawa surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,733 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s period with SW 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bawa in the next 16 days are 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (WIB) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bawa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead for Bawa, and while it starts a little sluggish, there are some absolute gems waiting for us. The water is sitting at a warm 86°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first few days are a bit of a tease. Friday the 17th through Sunday the 19th are on the small side, with waves around 4ft to 4ft, and the wind is a bit mixed. The best of that early period is Saturday morning the 18th, with a clean 4ft SW swell and a light cross-offshore wind from the NNW. It’s not a standout, but it’s a solid start.
Then Monday the 20th morning is where it starts to get interesting. We’ve got a clean 6ft SSW swell hitting, with glassy conditions and a period of 17 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and the wave energy is moderate (1777). This is a good one for experienced surfers, as the size is pushing into the too-big-for-beginners territory. The long period means it’ll be a bit better shaped and have longer lulls between sets, making the paddle out easier.
But the real standout, the one you want to circle on the calendar, is the 31st of July and the 1st of August. Friday the 31st morning kicks off with a 6ft SSW swell, clean cross-off wind from the NNW, and a period of 17 seconds. The combined energy is strong (2052). The afternoon is even better, with a 6ft SSW swell and clean cross-off, energy hitting 2087. Then Saturday the 1st of August morning has a 6ft SSW swell, cross-off wind, and energy is 2451. The afternoon is the absolute peak: a 6ft SSW swell, 19-second period, and energy of 2722. This is excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers. The swell direction is bang on the optimum for Bawa (SW), and the wind is clean. It’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it, but it looks promising.
There’s also a sneaky good session on the 28th of July, Tuesday morning. A 4ft SSW swell with a 18-second period, clean cross-off wind, and energy of 1247. It’s a smaller day, but the quality is there for experienced surfers.
For the rest of the second week, the 24th to the 27th, we have a mix of clean, glassy mornings and some lighter swell. The 24th morning has a 5ft S swell with glassy conditions, but the period is short at 10 seconds, so it’ll be a bit more bumpy. The 27th morning has a tiny 3ft SSW swell, but a very long 22-second period, which is interesting for the point setup at Bawa, but the energy is moderate (962). It’s more of a novelty.
Overall, the best surf is definitely the 31st of July through the 1st of August. If you can only get out once, that’s your window. The 20th of July morning is also a highlight. Bawa is a very consistent reef and point, so even the smaller days have potential. No crowds to worry about at Bawa, but it’s a spot that can get busy sometimes.
Stay stoked, and keep an eye on that long-range forecast.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Fri afternoon, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 28°C on Mon afternoon, min 27°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | S 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 714 | 695 | 667 | 597 | 540 | 472 | 394 | 683 | 1733 | 1693 | 1571 | 1091 | 899 | 746 | 402 | 390 | 231 | 210 | 446 | 410 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:24PM0.60m | 8:34AM0.82m | 9:08PM0.62m | 9:11AM0.74m | 9:53PM0.63m | 9:47AM0.64m | 10:42PM0.62m | 10:23AM0.54m | 11:35PM0.61m | 11:02AM0.45m | 00:39AM0.59m | 11:57AM0.37m | 1:53AM0.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:00AM0.08m | 3:02PM0.05m | 2:47AM0.14m | 3:33PM0.08m | 3:36AM0.20m | 4:03PM0.11m | 4:31AM0.26m | 4:34PM0.14m | 5:40AM0.30m | 5:08PM0.16m | 7:30AM0.32m | 5:55PM0.19m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | 6:40 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:40 | — | — | 6:40 | — |
mm | 10 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSE 8 | S 12 | S 10 |
| kJ | 714 | 695 | 667 | 597 | 540 | 472 | 394 | 388 | 1733 | 1693 | 1571 | 1091 | 899 | 746 | 402 | 390 | 231 | 109 | 446 | 410 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 18 | S 7 | S 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 12 | W 10 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 53 | 51 | 47 | 33 | 29 | 50 | 46 | 683 | 26 | 26 | 37 | 32 | 38 | 64 | 74 | 74 | 112 | 210 | 49 | 70 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | S 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | S 7 | S 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 10 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 50 | 32 | 29 | 41 | 32 | 21 | 20 | 36 | 18 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 34 | 51 | 32 | 28 | 56 | 12 | 42 | 91 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 138 | 0 | 0 | 138 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 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.
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