Ilbaritz - Bora Bora Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got on the cards for Ilbaritz - Bora Bora.

First thing you need to know, the water is running warm at 74° right now, which is 5° above the norm for this time of year. That’s a fair bit toastier than usual, so maybe leave the full wetsuit at home.

Right, straight out of the gate, Friday morning (11th Sept) is just a small, glassy start. Tiny 2ft NW swell, and the energy’s weak (83). It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about. The afternoon goes a bit ugly with a cross-on breeze, so call that a write-off. Saturday looks very similar—a tiny knee-high option in the morning with glass, but the afternoon gets messy.

Now, Sunday the 13th is where we start to see a pulse. The morning session is looking very good. We’ve got a clean 4ft groundswell from the NW with a 13-second period, moderate energy (545), and glassy conditions. That’s proper reef-swell territory; long period like that will wrap in nicely. For an intermediate surfer, this is the standout of the first week. The afternoon will be let down by the cross-on wind, so get on it early.

The run continues into Monday morning (14th). Another 4ft NW swell, with a 12-second period and clean offshore wind from the east. It’s a touch less energy (453) but still good quality. Then we hit a flat patch mid-week. Tuesday and Wednesday are rubbish—onshore winds and junk waves. I wouldn’t even bother.

Thursday the 17th morning, however, is another beauty. We see a 6ft NW swell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions with very good surf potential. The wave energy is strong (676). This is peak quality for the period if you ask me, and it’s clean as a whistle. The afternoon gets messy again.

Friday and Saturday mornings (18th & 19th) keep the run going with clean offshore winds and solid 4ft to 5ft NW swell. This looks really fun, and the water’s still warm. Saturday afternoon also cleans up nicely with a cross-off breeze. That Saturday afternoon (19th Sept) is a hidden gem—5ft NW at 11 seconds and clean.

Into the second week, Sunday the 20th starts glassy with 5ft NW swell and strong energy (558). A very good morning session. The afternoon kicks up to 7ft with a 15-second period, but the cross-on wind and the very long period will make it walled up and tricky. This is expert territory if you paddle out.

Monday (21st) is big and blown out. 8ft NW swell with onshore wind—that’s a beast for experts only, and even then, it’s not clean. The energy is enormous (1776), but the wind is a dealbreaker.

Tuesday morning (22nd) is a highlight for the confident crew. 6ft NW groundswell (12-second period) with a cross-off breeze. Clean conditions and excellent surf, but with that size, it’s for experienced surfers only. The energy is high (1118).

The rest of the week fades a bit. Wednesday (23rd) morning is glassy and beautiful for a smaller 5ft NW swell, very good quality. Then we see a drop-off into Thursday with smaller, weaker swell and wind issues.

Friday the 25th morning picks up again. 5ft NW, 11-second period, glassy, with strong moderate energy (622). Another very good morning to score before the wind shifts onshore in the afternoon. The final Saturday morning (26th) is a bit of a tease—6ft NW swell, but with onshore wind, so the quality is marginal.

Overall, the real standouts are Sunday the 13th morning and Thursday the 17th morning—both with clean glass, solid 4ft–6ft NW swell, and the right period for this reef. Get in the water early.

Rusty.

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