Bowls Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, checking in on the only game in town for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a single spot to focus on, so let's get into it.

Right off the bat, the water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 86° — a nice little bonus if you're not wearing a wetsuit.

The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag. Monday the 3rd has some small energy rolling in, with a 3ft east swell and a long 15-second period. The wind is cross-off, so it's rideable, but nothing to write home about. The combined energy is weak (366), so you'll be waiting around for the sets. Tuesday the 4th is where things start to get interesting. The swell builds to 4ft in the morning and then 4ft by the afternoon, still from the east, with a very long period of 17-18 seconds. The wind shifts to a gentle offshore on Tuesday afternoon, and that's when the combined energy jumps to a strong 1009 — this is your first real standout. The waves will have good shape thanks to that long period, but remember, this is a reef break, so those long-period groundswells will be lining up nicely here.

Wednesday the 5th sees the swell push past 6ft, and the energy gets serious (1974), but the wind is cross-off and a bit stronger, and the conditions are described as marginal. It's still surfable, but it's not as clean as Tuesday.

Now, from Thursday the 6th onward, things go sideways. We get a massive jump in size, but the wind turns on us. Thursday morning has an 12ft east swell with a strong breeze (8538 energy), but it's cross-off and messy. By Thursday afternoon, the wind is up to 31 mph, and it's a total mess. Friday the 7th is a write-off: storm-force winds, a 26ft to 38ft swell, and dangerous conditions. Do not even think about it. Saturday the 8th morning has a 33ft west swell, but it's onshore with a gentle breeze, and the energy is extreme (29379). This is for experts only, and even then, the wind is sketchy. The rest of the weekend is a total loss with hurricane-force winds.

The second week quiets right down. From Monday the 10th to Wednesday the 12th, the swell drops to 3ft to 6ft, but the wind is consistently cross-onshore and strong, making for lumpy, choppy conditions. The combined energy is low (188 to 819), so it's not worth the paddle out. Thursday the 13th through to the end of the period sees tiny waves (1ft to 2ft) with very weak energy (9 to 102). The best of this sorry lot is Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th, when a 2ft to 4ft east-northeast swell shows up with a gentle-to-moderate offshore wind. The period is a solid 12-13 seconds, and the energy is moderate (420-543). The conditions are clean, and it'll be surfable, but you're looking at long lulls and small waves.

The standout of the whole forecast is Tuesday afternoon, August 4th at Bowls. The 4ft east swell with a 17-second period, gentle offshore wind, and strong energy (1009) will give you the best chance at a clean, fun session. The crowds are listed as "sometimes," so you might have a few others out, but it’s a reef break, so the long period will work in your favor. Just keep an eye on the weather as there's a risk of thunderstorms.

Other than that, hang tight. The small window on the 17th and 18th is worth a look if you're desperate, but don't expect much.

Rusty.

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