Bonza Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Initially, we’re looking at a bit of a mixed bag of a forecast. The early days are promising for some size, but the wind is going to be a real issue for clean conditions. The standout period is definitely the first weekend, with the biggest swell pushing through mid-week, but that comes with its own set of problems.

The first real action kicks off on Sunday morning, the 23rd of August. We’ve got a solid 7ft SSW swell rolling in with a period of 10 seconds, packing a punch with strong wave energy (1437). The wind is a cross-shore from the SW at 12 mph, which will put a bit of a chop on the surface. It’s a big day for the experienced crew, but that 7ft of swell is pushing into the top end of intermediate territory. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

The real standout, if you can work around the wind, is the Wednesday morning session on the 26th of August. The swell at Bonza Bay is a very long-period groundswell from the S at 8ft, with a period of 17 seconds and very strong wave energy (3020). This is serious, powerful energy. This is a spot that works best with a south swell, and the direction is right. However, the wind is onshore from the east at 12 mph, which will make it choppy. For experts only at that size, and with the wind, it’s going to be a battle. The afternoon gets even bigger at 8ft, but the wind picks up to 16 mph, making it a write-off.

The Thursday the 27th of August is a total loss with a near gale force wind, not worth paddling out for.

Things start to look a bit more approachable on Friday the 28th of August. The swell drops to a more manageable 6ft from the east, with a period of 10 seconds and moderate wave energy (1154). The morning has a light cross-onshore breeze from the east at 6 mph, making for slightly bumpy but rideable conditions. Saturday the 29th of August is similar, with the same 6ft east swell, but the wind is a bit stronger and cross-shore, so it’s still a bit messy.

Looking further out, the first week of September has some swell, but the wind remains a consistent problem. For example, the morning of the 3rd of September has a 5ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period and moderate energy (1001), but a moderate cross-shore wind will keep it from being clean.

The long-range picture is tricky. There’s a pulse of good energy around the 4th and 5th of September, with some 6ft SW swell, but again, the wind is a factor. The morning of the 7th of September has a 5ft SSW groundswell with a 13-second period and light winds, which is a promising note for the end of the window, but it’s still a week away and those long-range forecasts can change.

Overall, if you are an expert, the Wednesday the 26th of August has the biggest, most powerful swell, but it’s a battle against the wind. For the rest of us, the Friday the 28th of August morning offers the best window of manageable swell and the lightest wind.

Rusty.

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