Ilbaritz - Bora Bora Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s have a look at this 16-day window for Ilbaritz - Bora Bora. Honestly, it’s a bit of a tough stretch of forecasts for us here. The first recommendation we get isn’t until July 14th, because everything before that is either too small, too messy, or just plain poor. That’s a solid 11-day gap of nothing really surfable. For a spot like this, a long blank run like that isn't totally unheard of, but it still stings.

The best chance for a decent wave comes on Tuesday the 14th, both morning and afternoon. The morning looks like the pick: a solid 6ft NW groundswell, with a period of 11 seconds pumping in. Combined energy is strong, reading 706. The downside is the wind is straight onshore from the W at 10 km/h, so it’ll be a bit bumpy, but the size and consistency of that swell should still push through. It’s a reef break, so those longer-period swells with good energy can produce a proper shape, especially with that W optimum swell direction. The afternoon on the 14th is still pushing 5ft and 584 energy, but the wind gets a bit stronger and more cross-onshore. This swell is solid enough that it borders on too big for beginners; 6ft on a reef is a step up.

Further out, on Saturday the 18th, we see another pulse of interest. The morning of the 18th has a 5ft WNW groundswell, and the wind goes glassy – dead calm from the NNE at 5 km/h. That’s a major positive, as it should result in clean, smooth faces. Energy is strong at 377. The north-west direction will wrap in nicely for that exposed W-facing reef. The afternoon sees the swell bump up to 6ft, but the wind swings to a moderate cross-shore, so the morning is definitely the window to aim for there. It’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it, but it’s the best-looking clean session on the whole forecast.

Water temp here is sitting at 75°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s over 5° above the average, so it’s very unusual – you’ll be in boardshorts for sure.

So, if I’m calling it: the standout is Tuesday morning the 14th for size and power, stormy but punchy. The real diamond in the rough is that glassy Saturday morning the 18th – clean, a little smaller, but way more fun.

Rusty.

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