Bunbury Ammos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next week and a half is a mixed bag of frustration, but there’s a genuine pay-off waiting if you’re patient. The setup is Bunbury Ammos (river), and it’s an inconsistent little spot, so don’t expect it to pump every day. It’s a beginner-friendly wave, but when the swell gets solid, it’s really only for the experienced crew.

We start off Friday the 7th with a solid 8.2ft W groundswell, period a long 15 seconds, but the wind is howling on it from the WSW at 15.5 mph. The combined energy is massive – 2868 to 3022 – but it’s just poor, messy surf. Not worth paddling out. That trend continues straight through Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th, with the swell jumping to 13.1ft on Saturday and the wind cranking cross-onshore. The energy numbers are through the roof (6962 and 7461), but it’s a washing machine. Sunday eases to 8.2ft, but the wind is still cross-onshore at 12.4 mph, making it marginal at best. A couple of days with no real recommendation to speak of.

Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th are no better – 11.5ft to 13.1ft of WSW swell, but the wind is strong and cross-onshore, with energy spiking up to 8339. That’s powerful, but it’s a messy, blown-out ordeal. Only for the truly determined or the foolhardy. Then, Wednesday the 12th sees a drop to 7.5ft, and the wind eases to a light 3.1 mph from the W, but it’s still onshore and the wave comment is marginal. The energy is still moderate at 2306. Not happening.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 13th morning – glassy conditions from the south at 3.1 mph, with a 6.2ft WSW groundswell at a long 16 seconds. The combined energy is 1752, and the report says excellent surf for experienced surfers. That’s our first real window. The wave will be clean, but at 6.2ft and that long period, it’s a solid wave and not for beginners. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Friday the 14th is a standout. Morning sees a light NE breeze at 6.2 mph, cross-offshore, and a 6.2ft WSW swell at 16 seconds. The energy is 1708, and the conditions are described as clean – excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon is even better: glassy, with a light 3.1 mph from the SW, and the swell drops to 5.6ft but still a long 15-second period. The energy is 1364, and it’s glassy. That afternoon session is the pick of the first week: clean, long-period groundswell, and the wind is perfect. The crowds at Bunbury Ammos are only sometimes an issue, so you might have it to yourself.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are a step down – the wind swings cross-shore and picks up, and the swell is a bit mixed, with the energy between 925 and 2566. The conditions are marginal, with a cross-chop showing up. Not a write-off, but not the best.

Now, look ahead to the second week. Tuesday the 18th morning is a special one. Glassy conditions, with a 9.8ft W groundswell at a very long 16 seconds. The combined energy is 4950 – strong, powerful stuff. The report calls it excellent for experienced surfers, and that’s no joke. That’s a big, clean groundswell hitting the river mouth. It’s a long-period swell, so it might break a bit straight at a beach break, but at a river setup, it should offer some proper lines. Again, only for the experienced – 9.8ft is big.

Wednesday the 19th morning is similar: glassy, 9.8ft W at 16 seconds, energy at 4356. Another excellent session for the crew who can handle it. But the wind picks up in the afternoon, so the morning is the window.

Thursday the 20th sees the swell drop to 7.2ft, but the wind goes offshore from the ENE at 9.3 mph, with a 14-second period. The energy is 1868, and it’s clean and gentle offshore. That’s a fantastic, more manageable day for the stronger intermediate.

Friday the 21st winds down to a 4.6ft W swell, but the wind is light offshore in the morning and glassy in the afternoon. The energy is low at 715 to 747, and the report says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s a fun, small-wave day for everyone.

The absolute best of the 16 days? I’d be looking at Thursday the 13th morning for the first real clean window, and then Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th mornings for the biggest, cleanest power. The Friday the 14th afternoon glass-off is a gem too. The long gap of poor conditions at the start is a 5-day stretch from the 7th to the 11th where you’re better off doing something else

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