Surf Forecasts:
Bulli Beach surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, S swell with 164 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bulli Beach this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Bulli Beach in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bulli Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Bulli Beach. Let’s be honest, it’s a pretty grim start. We’re looking at a solid two-week stretch of tiny, weak waves, and the first real sign of life doesn’t show up until the 12th of September. Before that, it’s a whole lot of nothing.
The water temp is sitting at about 64°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be shivering while you’re staring at flat ocean.
Wednesday, 2nd of September through to Thursday, 10th of September – this is a big, fat blank. Day after day of poor surf conditions, with swell heights barely scraping 3 ft and mostly under 2 ft. The combined wave energy is a paltry 67 (67) at its best, but mostly down in the 40s and 20s – that’s just weak. Winds are all over the place, mostly offshore or cross-off, but with no swell to work with, it’s a wasted effort. Don’t bother paddling out.
Friday, 11th of September – still no good. We get a slight bump to 3 ft but the period is a pathetic 4 seconds, and the energy is only 65 (65). On top of that, it’s a straight onshore wind. Pass.
Saturday, 12th of September – finally, something to talk about. The morning pulls in a 5 ft swell from the NE with an 8-second period. The combined energy jumps to 287 (287) – that’s a moderate pulse. The wind is a clean northwesterly cross-off, so the lineup should be looking tidy. It’s a fair bit of size for Bulli, pushing into that 5 ft mark, so it’s not for the groms, but for the advanced crew, this is the first real window. The afternoon gets a bit messier with a stronger NE wind, but the morning is the standout.
Sunday, 13th of September – a step down, but still rideable. Swell drops to 3 ft, energy at 91 (91) in the morning, but the afternoon picks up to 148 (148) with a light offshore. The surf is ordinary, but it’s clean. A session for the keen.
Monday, 14th of September – back to poor conditions. Southerly winds and choppy surf. Not worth it.
Tuesday, 15th of September – the swell is building again. 5 ft in the morning, jumping to 6 ft in the afternoon, with energy hitting 481 (481). The wind is a cross-off, so it’s clean. The size is getting up there, so keep it for the experienced.
Wednesday, 16th of September – this is the big one. The morning delivers 6 ft of NE swell, an 8-second period, and a combined energy of 555 (555). The wind is a light WNW cross-off – absolute glassy conditions expected. This is your best bet of the entire 16-day window. The waves will have some punch, and with that offshore breeze, it’ll be peeling. The afternoon holds up at 6 ft, but the wind picks up a bit. Grab the morning session.
Thursday, 17th of September – still good. 6 ft in the morning, 5 ft in the afternoon, with clean cross-off winds and solid energy readings (396 (396) and 288 (288)). A solid follow-up day.
So, to sum it up: if you’ve got the skills, the clear standout is the morning of Wednesday, 16th of September. Otherwise, Saturday the 12th is your first real chance to get wet. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | NE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
34 | 33 | 33 | 27 | 28 | 18 | 25 | 25 | 13 | 9 | 51 | 31 | 14 | 14 | 22 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | off |
High Tide | 11:29AM1.41m | 11:50PM1.11m | 12:22PM1.40m | 00:57AM1.01m | 1:27PM1.40m | 2:19AM0.94m | 2:40PM1.42m | 3:47AM0.95m | 3:54PM1.47m | 5:00AM1.00m | 4:59PM1.53m | 5:58AM1.09m | 5:56PM1.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:56PM0.31m | 5:46AM0.32m | 7:05PM0.34m | 6:41AM0.40m | 8:25PM0.34m | 7:50AM0.45m | 9:47PM0.30m | 9:09AM0.46m | 10:57PM0.22m | 10:24AM0.42m | 11:54PM0.14m | 11:28AM0.35m | 00:42AM0.07m | ||||||||
6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 29 | 26 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 10 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 25 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 11 | S 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | NE 4 | E 10 | S 8 | S 7 | S 9 |
34 | 100 | 50 | 27 | 28 | 16 | 211 | 76 | 83 | 61 | 51 | 31 | 488 | 456 | 553 | 277 | 3 | 8 | 382 | 108 | 127 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | NE 7 | SSW 11 | S 8 | ENE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 10 | NE 7 | NNE 6 | NE 5 | E 11 | E 10 | SE 10 |
108 | 27 | 15 | 53 | 52 | 33 | 25 | 24 | 40 | 9 | 47 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 7 | S 16 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | — | E 10 | E 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | E 10 |
33 | 33 | 33 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | — | 8 | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | W 2 | WSW 3 | WSW 5 | — | NE 7 | NNE 3 | NNE 5 | WNW 4 | WSW 4 | — | — | NE 6 | NW 2 | S 9 | SSE 8 | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 |
3 | — | 2 | 1 | 5 | 37 | — | 25 | 2 | 66 | 31 | 9 | — | — | 22 | 1 | 192 | 373 | — | 3 | 25 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 2 | 7 | 21 | 18 | 2 | 426 | 2 | 2 | 480 | 28 | 2 | 106 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











