Surf Forecasts:
Bulli Beach surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, E swell with 224 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with NE 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. 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 1.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bulli Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty, and I've got the surf outlook for the Bulli Beach area. Let's be real with you – this is a lean stretch ahead. The 16-day window kicks off with a whole lot of nothing. The first recommendation doesn't pop up until Thursday morning, the 3rd of September, and before that, there's a solid run of days with no real surf to speak of. It's a long, quiet patch.
The only real standout is the morning of Thursday, the 3rd of September. That's where it's at. The south-east swell is pumping in at around 7 ft, with a solid 11-second period, bringing a heap of energy – the combined energy is a massive 1072 (moderate to strong wave energy). The wind is light and offshore from the north-north-east, which will keep things clean. This is proper groundswell, with longer gaps between sets, making the paddle out a bit easier. This is an advanced break, and with the swell size over 5 ft, it's not for the beginners. The water temperature is 65°, which is about average for this time of year.
The swell direction from the south-east is a good match for the optimum swell direction from the north-east for this beach and reef set-up. The offshore wind is a major positive, and the crowds are sometimes here, so you might have a few others out, but it's worth it. This is the one to aim for.
The rest of the window is a write-off. The afternoons around that date get messy with cross-onshore winds. Before that, we've got tiny swells, poor wind directions, and a whole lot of "poor surf conditions" in the data. The combined energy values are mostly in the double digits, showing weak energy. There's a bit of a pulse on the 25th of August with 5 ft to 6 ft swell, but it's accompanied by moderate rain and cross-onshore winds, making it choppy and unappealing. The forecast is simply not offering anything else.
In short, wait for the 3rd of September morning. It's a long wait, but it could be a gem. The rest of the time, you're better off doing something else.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 9 | NE 4 | NE 9 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
70 | 52 | 62 | 120 | 80 | 64 | 28 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 21 | 12 | 34 | 71 | 40 | 86 | 84 | 79 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:15AM0.93m | 1:52PM1.26m | 2:26AM0.86m | 2:55PM1.25m | 3:47AM0.84m | 4:00PM1.27m | 4:57AM0.87m | 4:57PM1.32m | 5:49AM0.92m | 5:45PM1.38m | 6:31AM0.99m | 6:27PM1.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:59AM0.47m | 8:50PM0.50m | 7:54AM0.53m | 10:06PM0.48m | 9:02AM0.55m | 11:09PM0.43m | 10:09AM0.54m | 11:58PM0.37m | 11:07AM0.49m | 00:37AM0.30m | 11:56AM0.43m | 1:12AM0.23m | |||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 14 | 16 | 12 |
Temp °C | 14 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 5 | S 5 | NE 6 | S 9 | S 7 | S 10 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | S 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 |
70 | 43 | 16 | 120 | 80 | 64 | 28 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 157 | 49 | 71 | 34 | 71 | 90 | 86 | 84 | 79 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 11 | E 10 | S 12 | — | S 10 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 6 | NE 6 | SSW 15 | S 7 | S 10 | S 11 | ENE 7 | S 9 | S 16 | S 8 |
3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 71 | 14 | 64 | 110 | 40 | 60 | 20 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 14 | S 13 | — | S 11 | SW 4 | SE 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | S 9 | ENE 9 | S 20 | NE 9 | S 11 | S 17 | NE 9 | S 16 | — | S 16 |
— | 4 | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 40 | 22 | 21 | 20 | — | 20 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — | NE 6 | NE 4 | NE 5 | — | — | WSW 2 | — | S 4 | SSE 4 |
114 | 52 | 62 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 9 | 21 | 47 | — | — | 1 | — | 35 | 15 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 144 | 349 | 316 | 144 | 2 | 51 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











