Bunbury Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Overall, it’s a slow start with a bit of a wait, but the weekend from Saturday the 29th of August through to Tuesday the 1st of September is shaping up to be the clear standout window. After that, things get messy and we’re looking at a long stretch of pretty average conditions right through the first week of September.

The only spot in the game here is Bunbury Bay. Water temp is sitting at 61°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – nothing crazy, but you’ll want a decent spring suit.

Thursday the 27th of August has some swell but it’s marginal, with a 8ft WSW groundswell (16-second period) in the morning and a very strong combined energy reading of 2644. The wind is a moderate cross-off from the SSE, so it’s clean, but the forecast says questionable tide conditions and the score is low. Not worth paddling out for.

Friday the 28th is a write-off in the morning – poor surf. The afternoon sees a drop to 3ft WSW swell, period 12 seconds, with offshore ESE wind at 12 mph making it clean. But energy is weak (359) and the waves are small – maybe a longboard session if you’re desperate.

Now, Saturday the 29th of August is where it starts to get interesting. Morning brings a 4ft WSW groundswell with a very long 19-second period, and offshore ESE wind at 16 mph. Energy is moderate (949). The afternoon is the real gem: 5ft WSW swell, 18-second period, offshore ESE breeze at 12 mph, and energy ramps up to 1447. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – clean, long-period groundswell, offshore wind. Bunbury Bay is a fairly exposed break, and with a long period like that, expect well-shaped, powerful waves with longer gaps between sets. The swell direction is SW, which matches the optimum. This is the first standout.

Sunday the 30th of August morning is another cracker: 6ft WSW swell, 18-second period, light NE cross-off breeze at 6 mph, energy at 2264. Clean, decent size, and light winds. The afternoon gets a bit cross-on from the WSW, so it’s not as good.

Monday the 31st is onshore and rainy – forget it.

Tuesday the 1st of September morning is a late highlight: 6ft W swell, 15-second period, light S cross-off at 6 mph, clean, energy 1386. Excellent for experienced surfers again. But the afternoon turns cross-on and choppy.

After that, from Tuesday the 1st afternoon through to Wednesday the 9th of September, it’s mostly poor to marginal. Lots of onshore wind, rain, and messy conditions. A few sessions might be clean, but the swell is either small or wind-ruined. There’s a big spike on Friday the 4th of September with 15ft W swell and 12-second period, but it’s cross-on and lumpy – that’s kite-surf territory, not paddle surfing. The glassy morning on Saturday the 5th of September has 12ft W swell, 14-second period, but the forecast says it’s too big for this break, so only for the brave.

So, to wrap it up: your best bet is Saturday the 29th of August afternoon and Sunday the 30th of August morning at Bunbury Bay. The 5ft to 6ft WSW groundswell, long period, and offshore or light cross-off winds will give you clean, powerful waves. Tuesday the 1st of September morning is also worth a look. After that, sit tight and wait for a change in the pattern.

Rusty.

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