Bunbury Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Bunbury Bay over the next couple weeks. Fair warning: it’s a rough start and we’ve got a long, quiet spell before things get interesting. The water’s runnin’ a bit cooler than usual for this time of year, 61°, about 3° colder than average, so you’ll want a thicker wetsuit.

Right now, we’re in a real lull. The first solid chance to paddle out doesn’t show up until the morning of Tuesday 2nd September. There’s a gap of a few days from today with no good surf—just messy, blown-out lines. Tuesday morning offers a 5ft west-southwest swell, period of 14 seconds (decent energy, moderate at 1270), but the wind’s cross-on. It’s marginal and choppy, more of a grovel than a gem.

Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th are pretty much write-offs—onshore wind, rain showers, swell pushing over 7ft at times but blown to bits. Thursday 4th has a 7ft west swell but onshore wind kills it.

Now, Friday 5th September is where it starts to get our attention, but not for everyone. The morning shows a 8ft west-southwest swell, long 15-second period, with light cross-on wind—marginal but rideable if you’re keen. The afternoon though, it climbs to a 10ft west-southwest swell, period 16 seconds, combined energy of 3888 (strong). The wind flips to a gentle cross-on, but that size at Bunbury Bay is too big for this break—only for the experts, and even then, it’s a handful. This is a beach break, and a long-period groundswell like that (16 seconds) can make things dumpy and straight. Best bet for big wave crew on Friday arvo, but beginners stay out.

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th are trashed with strong winds and messy swell.

The real standout, the one I’m getting a bit excited about, is Friday 11th September morning. We’ve got a 4ft west-southwest swell, 14-second period, combined energy at 1036 (moderate). The wind is light cross-off from the east-northeast—clean lines, good shape. The guidance says “expect very good surf conditions.” The swell’s a little under head-high but clean and mellow, and for Bunbury Bay that’s a sweet spot. Crowds are possible here sometimes, but on a Friday morning with these conditions, you might have a few others in the know. This is your pick for the whole outlook.

After that, we get a bit of a chop again, but Sunday 13th September morning is another highlight for experienced surfers: a 8ft west swell, 16-second period, combined energy heavy at 3453, and light cross-off southerly wind. Clean, powerful faces. That’s expert territory.

The run finishes with Monday 14th September morning: 7ft west swell, 15-second period, glassy with a light east-northeast cross-off. Combined energy 1759 (strong). Another clean-skin morning for those who can handle the size.

To sum it up: Friday 11th September morning is the standout—clean, head-high, and fun. Friday 5th arvo and Sunday 13th morning are for the big-wave crew only. Otherwise, it’s a lot of waiting around. Keep your eye on the forecasts, ’cause the second week shows promise.

Rusty.

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