Bondi Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks at Bondi.

We’ve got a few days of tricky conditions ahead, but if you can wait, there’s a proper standout window that’s worth clearing the diary for.

Bondi Beach – Kicking off on Tuesday afternoon, August 11th, we see a clean, clear sky with a light west-southwest breeze keeping things cross-shore. Swell is a solid 5 ft from the south, period at 10 seconds – that’s decent groundswell energy. The combined energy is sitting at 553 (moderate wave energy). Water temperature is 62°, which is a bit colder than normal for the time of year. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, so it’s borderline okay, but the tide and wave comment says it’s marginal – not the best, only a 2/10 from me.

Wednesday morning, August 12th, clears up with a light west-northwest breeze going cross-offshore – clean. Swell drops to 4 ft from the south, same 10-second period. Energy drops to 220. It’s surfable, but not lighting the world on fire. That afternoon, the wind swings to the west-southwest at 16 mph and it gets messy with cross-chop.

Thursday, August 13th, morning is a write-off with small south swell and onshore wind. Thursday afternoon brings a jump in swell to 6 ft from the south, but short 8-second period and cross-onshore wind – energy jumps to 705 but it’s choppy and lumpy. A kite surfer might be smiling, but not a paddle surfer.

Friday, August 14th, morning is the first decent window: light westerly wind at 6 mph, cross-offshore, clean. Swell 3 ft from the south, 9-second period. Combined energy at 182. Good for a beginner session, but don’t expect any fireworks. That afternoon, the seabreeze kills it.

The weekend is grim. Saturday and Sunday (August 15-16) have onshore wind, rain showers, and lumpy, choppy surf. South swell but with short period, strong winds. Not worth paddling out.

Monday, August 17th through Wednesday, August 19th – the swell direction shifts to east-southeast, but the wind stays messy with cross-on and cross-shore breezes. Swell heights are between 5 ft and 5 ft, but periods are short (7 seconds) and energy is in the 230-269 range – weak, messy waves.

Now, here’s the standout. Thursday, August 20th we see a bump in the swell: 7 ft from the east, 9-second period, and combined energy jumps to 707 in the morning and 835 in the afternoon. Wind is light and onshore, so it’s still a bit bumpy. But hold on – Friday, August 21st is the one. Morning session: glassy conditions – wind is west-southwest at 3 mph, dead calm – glassy. Swell is 7 ft from the east, 9-second period, combined energy at 651. That’s moderate to strong energy. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is your window. The water will still be a bit cold, but the conditions will be clean and powerful. For intermediate and above surfers, that’s a go.

Friday afternoon, the seabreeze fades in, but it’s light. Still surfable.

From Saturday, August 22nd onward, it drops off again. Swell fades to 5 ft from the east, then smaller. By Sunday and Monday (August 23-24), the swell is tiny – 0.7 ft to 1 ft. Energy is in the single digits. Don’t bother. There’s a bit of a pulse on Tuesday, August 25th with a 3 ft south-west swell, 5-second period, but that’s tiny and weak – for beginners only. Wednesday, August 26th, same story – 2 ft from the south, 11-second period, energy at 55, clean but tiny.

Overall: The real standout is Friday morning, August 21st. Glassy, 7 ft easterly groundswell, clean conditions. Don’t miss it if you’re keen. The rest of the 16-day window is mostly marginal or flat.

Rusty.

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