Ilbaritz - Bora Bora Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down.

The next couple of weeks look pretty rough overall, with a lot of marginal conditions and onshore winds messing things up. The water is sitting at a balmy 73°, which is 4° warmer than normal – that’s a solidly warm anomaly for this time of year, so you can leave the thickest suit at home. There are a few windows where it cleans up, but you’ll have to be patient.

We kick off Monday afternoon, the 7th of September, with a weak 3 ft swell from the WNW at 14 seconds. That period shows it’s a decent groundswell, but the cross-onshore wind kills it. Combined swell energy is a moderate 309. Honestly, it’s a write-off.

Tuesday the 8th is no better – 3 ft swell from the WNW, but onshore wind all day. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday the 9th sees a jump in size to 6 ft from the NW, combined energy up to 497, but the wind is cross-shore in the morning and cross-on in the afternoon. The morning is marginal at best, with rain showers. Afternoon is a total no-go.

Thursday the 10th stays below par – 4 ft to 4 ft of NW swell, cross-on wind, poor conditions all day.

Friday the 11th is the first real glimmer. Early morning turns glassy – wind drops to zero from the SSE, and we get a clean 2 ft wave from the NW (9-second period). Combined energy is a weak 76, so it’s small and weak, but with that glassy surface, an early session on a longboard might be fun. It’s surfable. The afternoon goes back to onshore junk.

Saturday the 12th is flat and poor – tiny swell under 2 ft, onshore wind.

Sunday the 13th is interesting but tricky. The morning brings a solid 5 ft NW groundswell with a long 13-second period. Combined energy jumps to 673 – that’s moderate to strong energy. Problem is the onshore wind from the WSW, so the quality is marginal. The afternoon is similar but bigger at 5 ft (energy 790), but cross-on wind. If the tide lines up, there could be a lumpy wave for experienced surfers only – that size with onshore wind is a battle.

Now, here’s the best bet in the window. Monday morning, the 14th of September. Offshore wind from the ENE at just 3 mph, glassy conditions. The swell is 4 ft from the NW at 12 seconds – that’s a clean groundswell with good energy (442). Ilbaritz – Bora Bora is a reef break, exposed to the W, and the swell direction is a solid match. This is a standout session. Clean, shoulder-high waves, easy paddling between sets. It won’t be huge, but quality will be there. Crowds can be a factor here, so get out early.

The 15th drops off badly – back to small, onshore junk.

Wednesday morning the 16th is another clean window: glassy conditions with a light NNW breeze. Swell is 5 ft from the NW at 11 seconds, energy 455 – a repeat of Monday’s setup. Another good session, just a little more period than Monday.

Thursday the 17th stays marginal – 5 ft but with cross-on wind. Not great.

Now, Friday morning the 18th is a standout again. Glassy conditions with an ENE offshore breeze. Swell is 5 ft from the NW at 10 seconds, energy 469. That’s clean, solid waist-to-chest high waves with good shape.

Saturday morning the 19th is also glassy, offshore from the NE, with 6 ft from the NW (8-second period, 408 energy). That shorter period means it’s a little weaker and less organized, but still clean. This size is pushing into intermediate territory – could be a bit much for beginners.

From Sunday the 20th onward, the wind turns ugly. Strong cross-onshore breezes, big drop in quality, and the swell gets messy. Tuesday the 22nd morning is the last hint of hope: offshore from the E at 6 mph with a 4 ft NW groundswell at 11 seconds – clean but small. After that, it’s all onshore junk to close out the period.

Rusty.

Read more