Blue Bowls Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead at Blue Bowls. Things kick off with a groundswell that’s got some serious legs, but the wind and conditions are going to chop and change, so you’ve got to pick your moments.

The water is sitting at 86°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year—nice for a long session without needing a wetsuit.

Thursday, September 10th is the standout start. The morning is a bit iffy with a 5 ft SSW groundswell (15 seconds) and light southerly breeze, but the afternoon cleans right up. Glassy conditions with a 4 ft SW swell, and that period jumps to 21 seconds—that’s very long period, pure groundswell energy. The combined energy is solid (2192), and with that direction matching the optimum SE, Blue Bowls will be offering some lined-up, powerful waves. Perfect for intermediate to experienced surfers. Just keep in mind it can get crowded here sometimes.

Friday, September 11th sees the swell bump up to 5 ft in the morning and 7 ft in the afternoon, both from the SSW with periods around 18-19 seconds. That’s a lot of energy (3238 in the morning!). Wind is cross-off from the WNW, so it’s clean, but with those bigger sets, this is really only for the experienced crew. Could be a good day for the stronger paddlers.

Saturday, September 12th drops a notch with 6 ft to 6 ft SSW swell, but the moderate rain and strong cross-off winds from the west make it a bit ugly. Still clean wave faces, but the quality is not as good as Thursday or Friday.

From Sunday, September 13th through to the middle of the next week, the swell drops into the 3 ft to 4 ft range. Some sessions have clean conditions (like Wednesday the 16th morning, with a 4 ft SSW swell and cross-off breeze), but most are marred by cross or onshore winds. It’s not a write-off, but you’ll be working for the good ones.

Then, heading into Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th of September, the swell builds again—6 ft to 7 ft from the SSW and S. But the wind goes cross-on or onshore, and the combined energy is strong (up to 2311). It’s messy and choppy, unless you’re looking for a challenge. Sunday the 20th sees a drop in period to just 10 seconds, which is short period, wind-affected slop.

The last week is a bit of a dud. From Monday the 21st all the way to Thursday the 24th of September, we’ve got weak, short-period swells (9-10 seconds) with poor wind. Most of the combined energy drops into the 400-700 range—weak. The water stays warm, but the surf is poor.

Friday, September 25th has a late uptick with a 5 ft SSW swell and 18-second period (1533 energy), but the onshore wind ruins the party.

So, the absolute best of the window is Thursday afternoon, September 10th, with that glassy, 4 ft, 21-second groundswell from the SW. Smooth, lined-up, and perfect for the reef. If you miss that, Friday morning the 11th is a close second with bigger, powerful waves for the experienced.

Rusty.

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