Bondi Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Bondi Beach for the next 16 days. I’ll be straight with you – the window is a mixed bag. We’ve got some solid energy early on, but it’s messy and the wind is a write-off. Then things hit a flat, quiet patch, and we might see a bit of life again near the end of the month. Hang in there.

Alright, we kick off Wednesday, July 15, with a punchy 8ft south-southwest swell, but it’s coming in at 10 seconds. The problem? The wind is a fresh 30 km/h from the SSW, smacking the waves cross-onshore, turning it into lumpy, poor surf. The combined energy is pumping at 1160 (strong), but it’s just not clean. Thursday, July 16, is more of the same: a 6ft to 7ft south swell, period dropping to 8 or 7 seconds, and the wind howls from the same direction. It’s just not what you want for a paddle. For a beginner, this is way too big and messy; experts might find something, but it’s a battle.

Friday, July 17, the swell drops to 3ft, and the period falls to a weak 6 seconds. The wind shifts onshore from the SSE, so the energy drops to around 107 (weak). It’s a no-go for me. Saturday, July 18, is similar – 3ft from the east, period 7 seconds, and onshore wind. The combined energy creeps up to 195 (moderate), but the quality is still poor.

Then there’s a real gap. From Sunday, July 19, through Wednesday, July 22, the swell is tiny – mostly under 2ft, with a period that’s either very short (3 seconds) or very long (18 seconds, which is a groundswell, but it’s just too small to do anything with). The water temperature is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is in the weak range, mostly under 100. On Monday, July 20, the wind goes glassy in the morning and then cross-offshore, but the surf is barely there. It’s clean but flat. This quiet stretch lasts a solid 4-5 days with no real surf.

Thursday, July 23, is a write-off – a tiny 0.3ft swell with a 12-second period, but the wind is cross-offshore. Still, there’s no wave to ride.

Now, here’s a flicker of hope. On Friday, July 24, the swell comes back to life with a 7ft south swell, period 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 528 (moderate-to-strong). But the wind is onshore from the SSE, and we’ve got rain, so conditions are poor. It’s a real shame because the size is there, but the wind kills it. Saturday, July 25, is better: a 3ft to 4ft SSE swell, period 6 seconds. The morning offers a clean window with light NW wind, which is a major plus. The combined energy is 85 (weak) in the morning, but it’s clean. The afternoon gets messy with a 20 km/h NE wind. This is the best on offer in the whole 16-day period – a clean, small morning at Bondi Beach (Sydney). The swell direction is from the SSE, which is not quite the perfect south optimum, but it’s close enough. The crowds are often here, so expect company. The surf is consistent, so the waves will be there.

Sunday, July 26, through the end of the month, the swell stays small (2ft to 5ft) with periods between 8 and 10 seconds. The wind is mostly cross-onshore or onshore, keeping the surf choppy and poor. The combined energy is moderate, up to 486, but the quality just isn’t there. Thursday, July 30, the morning shows a clean cross-offshore wind with a 4ft SSE swell, period 8 seconds. The combined energy is 327 (moderate), and it’s listed as “expect good surf conditions.” This is a promising long-range call, but it’s a week and a half away, so don’t set your watch by it.

So, the standout is Saturday, July 25, morning. Clean, small, and rideable. The rest of the window is either blown out or flat. If you’re a beginner, stick to the small days. If you’re an expert, the 8ft days might tempt you, but the wind will fight you all the way.

Keep your eyes on the forecasts, and paddle when you can.

Rusty.

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