Bunkers Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’. Honestly, the next week or so is pretty grim. We’ve got a long stretch of small, messy, cross-onshore slop with a bit of underlying SW groundswell, but the wind just won’t play ball. The water temp is sitting at 59° at Bunkers, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

Monday the 24th is a write-off – 2ft of weak, long-period SW swell (18 seconds) but it’s crossed up with a SW wind. The combined energy is only 433 (moderate), and the call is poor surf conditions. That sets the tone.

Tuesday the 25th through to Wednesday the 28th is the same story: tiny 2ft SW swell, periods still long at 14-18 seconds, but the wind is either cross-on or onshore. The energy stays low to moderate (around 297 to 489), and it’s all marginal to poor. Not worth paddling out for.

Friday the 28th morning has a glimmer – an onshore wind with 2ft and 16 second period, energy up to 489, but it’s still marginal. By the afternoon the wind picks up to 12 mph cross-on and it’s choppy again.

The whole first week is basically a bust. There’s a gap of about 10 days of nothing worth getting excited about.

Now, if you can wait, things finally change around Friday the 4th of September. That’s the standout. By Friday afternoon, we get a clean 12ft NNW groundswell with a period of 10 seconds and glassy conditions – wind is a slight 3 mph from the NNW. The energy is massive at 2559 (very strong wave energy). This is for experienced surfers only; 12ft is over 8ft, so leave the beginners on the beach. Bunkers is exposed to the west but the swell direction is NNW, and the optimum is west, so it’s not a perfect match, but with glassy conditions and that much power, it’ll be firing. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so expect company.

Saturday the 5th of September keeps the run going. Morning has 8ft NW swell (9 seconds) with light cross-on wind, energy at 1506 (strong). The afternoon glass-off returns with 7ft and a WNW wind – energy drops to 994 (moderate) but still very good. Another top day for the experienced crew.

Sunday the 6th holds similar size (7ft to 8ft NW) but the wind stays light cross-on through the day, so it’s still good but not quite the perfection of Friday afternoon. Energy stays strong at 1064-1245.

After that, Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th see the swell hold around 8ft to 10ft NW-NNW, but the wind turns cross-on and moderate, making it choppy and messy. The quality goes downhill fast.

So to sum it up: the first 10 days are a total loss. The real gem is Friday the 4th of September afternoon – that’s the one to circle. Saturday the 5th afternoon is also a ripper. After that, it fades. If you’re a beginner, stay home until after the 4th. If you’re a seasoned local, get ready for a proper session on the 4th.

Rusty.

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