
Surf Forecasts:
Bulli Beach surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, ESE swell with 308 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bulli Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Bulli Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bulli Beach in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bulli Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about Bulli Beach.
The first week is a bit of a write-off, to be honest. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak waves and mainly onshore or cross-off winds that are just not doing us any favours. From Tuesday the 11th right through to Sunday the 16th, the swell is barely a whisper, with combined energy sitting in the low double digits – that’s properly weak. The water temp is a normal 64°F for this time of year, so no surprises there, but it’s not going to matter if you're just sitting on a flat ocean. You’re looking at a solid 6 days of poor surf with nothing to get excited about.
Things start to change around the 17th, but it’s a slow burn. Monday the 17th sees a bump in swell to 6ft from the east, period a short 7 seconds, so it’s a bit of a jumbled mess. The combined energy jumps to 266 (moderate), but the wind is cross-on, and the comments are calling it marginal. This continues through to the 19th, with similar sized, short-period swell and cross-on breezes. It’s not good, but it’s at least something.
Now, keep your eyes on Friday the 21st of August. That’s the standout. The morning shows the best window of the whole forecast. We’ll have a clean 7ft swell from the east, with a period of 9 seconds, giving the waves enough shape. The combined energy is a solid 679 (strong wave energy). But the real kicker is the wind: glassy, dead calm. That means perfectly clean, peeling faces. This is a break that’s fairly consistent and exposed, so those 7ft sets will be offering some proper, punchy walls. It’s an advanced break, so the 7ft size is in the sweet spot for experienced surfers, but it’ll be a handful for beginners. The swell direction is east, and the optimum is NE, so it’s a little off the ideal but still good.
The following morning, Saturday the 22nd, is also very promising, with 5ft of east swell and glassy conditions again, though the energy drops to 316 (moderate). After that, the week finishes with smaller, cleaner, but more manageable 4ft to 4ft swell from the ENE with offshore and cross-off winds, keeping things tidy through to Wednesday the 26th. Crowds are sometimes a factor here, so expect some company on those cleaner days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
76 | 52 | 52 | 48 | 55 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 220 | 273 | 247 | 302 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:51AM1.17m | 7:51PM1.75m | 8:36AM1.23m | 8:37PM1.72m | 9:19AM1.28m | 9:22PM1.63m | 10:01AM1.32m | 10:05PM1.51m | 10:42AM1.34m | 10:47PM1.35m | 11:24AM1.33m | 11:31PM1.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:50AM-0.01m | 1:23PM0.23m | 2:34AM-0.04m | 2:14PM0.20m | 3:15AM-0.02m | 3:03PM0.20m | 3:53AM0.03m | 3:52PM0.23m | 4:29AM0.11m | 4:42PM0.28m | 5:04AM0.20m | 5:34PM0.35m | |||||||
— | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Temp °C | 13 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 8 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 17 | S 15 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 |
530 | 235 | 147 | 45 | 279 | 346 | 159 | 234 | 190 | 42 | 17 | 17 | 93 | 121 | 46 | 112 | 87 | 57 | 36 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 19 | S 19 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 8 | S 15 | S 12 | — |
76 | 52 | 52 | 48 | 55 | 35 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 64 | 63 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 5 | 12 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 18 | S 13 | S 20 | S 19 | S 14 | S 19 | SSW 15 | S 16 | S 14 | E 8 | — | — | S 15 | ENE 11 | — | SSW 12 | — |
— | — | 6 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 28 | 47 | 19 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 39 | 12 | — | 29 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | W 3 | SW 5 | W 3 | S 8 | W 3 | — | — | S 7 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 |
27 | 5 | 8 | 59 | 1 | 513 | 2 | — | — | 97 | 501 | 329 | 167 | 197 | 229 | 220 | 273 | 247 | 302 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 47 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 2 | 75 | 107 | 2 | 28 | 86 | 14 | 0 | 86 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Bulli Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Bulli Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bulli Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bulli Beach surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Bulli Beach) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Bulli Beach may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Illawarra? If you are looking for accommodation near Bulli Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Illawarra, consider staying in Wollongong which is 4 km (2 miles) away. Other places in and around Illawarra where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Port Kembla which is 8 km (5 miles) away, Engadine, Caringbah and Cronulla.











