Clovelly Bombie Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight up – the next couple of weeks around Clovelly Bombie are a real mixed bag. This is a heavy, inconsistent reef that only works on the right swell, and for the most part, we’re staring at a long stretch of ordinary conditions. We’ve got a bit of a barren run to start, but there’s a flicker of something half-decent further out.

The 16-day window opens on Thursday 20 August with tiny 2 ft swell out of the ESE, 8-second period and weak energy (74). Water temp is sitting at 62°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a -1° anomaly, so you’ll feel the chill when you get in. The morning has a cross-off wind from the NNW at 9 mph, keeping it clean, but it’s barely surfable. Afternoon goes downhill quick – cross-on wind and messy. That’s the theme right through to the end of August: days of low swell, poor conditions, with only brief windows of clean but tiny waves. Friday 21st to Monday 24th stay in the 1 ft to 3 ft range, mostly cross-off breezes but no real energy to speak of. Sunday 23rd morning is glassy with a light wind, but only 0.7 ft and 13 energy – flat. Tuesday 25th afternoon sees a brief uptick with a gentle offshore WNW breeze and 2 ft, but the energy is still weak (73). For kite surfers, the choppy afternoons with stronger cross-onshore winds on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd might look more interesting than paddle surfing.

The low-energy slog continues into the last week of August. Wednesday 26th morning gets hit with 25 mph SSW winds – messy. Energy climbs slightly on Wednesday afternoon to 125 (moderate) with 3 ft SSE swell, but it’s a strong cross-shore with messy cross-chop – not worth it. By Friday 28th morning, we get a glassy calm with 2 ft ENE swell (50 energy), but it’s still just surfable, nothing special.

Now, there is a glimmer. Saturday 29th morning sees a jump in swell – 6 ft from the NE with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy hits 552 (strong). The wind is light cross-shore from the NNE at 6 mph, with small crossing wind ripples. This is the biggest swell in the forecast, but at 6 ft, it’s pushing into that zone that’s getting too big for beginners. The short period (less than 8 seconds) means the waves might not hold their shape as well as you’d hope. Crowds are possible here – it’s marked as “sometimes” busy, and with the first real bump in ages, expect company. Sunday 30th afternoon then offers 4 ft from the ENE, 8-second period, with glassy conditions and a light W wind – clean and surfable, with 381 energy (moderate to strong). That’s a solid afternoon session if you’re keen, but again, the swell direction ENE matches the optimum direction, so it should hit the reef alright. It’s a rare, inconsistent spot, so any wave here is a moment to savour.

Heading into early September, Monday 31st and Tuesday 1st drop back to 3 ft with clean but weak energy. The real standout appears on Wednesday 2nd September morning: 4 ft from the ENE with a period of 11 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, meaning longer gaps between sets but more energy and shape. Combined energy hits 337 (moderate). The wind is offshore from the W at 9 mph (gentle), keeping it clean. Long-period swells work well at reefs and point breaks, so Clovelly Bombie should handle it decently, though beach breaks might see it breaking too straight. This is the pick of the entire outlook. Thursday 3rd September morning is also promising: 5 ft from the ENE, 11-second period, 415 energy (strong), with light cross-off wind from the NW at 6 mph – clean and punchy.

Friday 4th September morning rounds it out with a 3 ft ENE groundswell at 10 seconds, clean cross-off WNW breeze, 220 energy – a solid end to the run.

Overall, the first week is mostly a write-off unless you’re desperate for a clean but tiny wave. The best bet is to keep your eyes on the 2nd of September to the 4th of September, especially the mornings; that’s when this inconsistent reef might actually fire. If you can’t wait, the Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August sessions are worth a look, but don’t expect perfection. Hang in there.

– Rusty

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