Ilbaritz - Bora Bora Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s run through the waves at Ilbaritz – Bora Bora for the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a slow start. Don’t even bother for the first few days – Monday through Wednesday are a total loss. The water temp is sitting at a warm 77°F, which is much warmer than average for this time of year, but you’re not gonna be surfing it.

Things finally get going on the morning of Thursday the 20th of August. We’ve got glassy conditions and a 4ft NW swell rolling in, with a solid 11-second period. That’s real groundswell, and the energy is moderate at 298. The reef should start to juice up. That long period means it might break a bit straight, so pick your line. It’s clean though.

The absolute standout for the whole forecast is the morning of Friday the 28th of August. Mark it down. It’s a good week away, but it’s looking like a dream. We’ve got a 7ft NW swell, a very long 12-second period, and glassy conditions with a light offshore from the ESE. The energy is pumping at 1167 – that’s strong. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers only; 7ft is too big for the learners. The swell direction is right out of the NW, the optimum for the break, and with that glass, it’s going to be clean, lined-up waves. This is the one.

Then, the morning of Monday the 31st of August is another big one, but expert stuff only. We’re looking at an 8ft WNW swell, a shorter 8-second period, but massive energy at 1022. Glassy again with a light offshore from the ENE. That’s a lot of water – powerful and a bit jumbled, but the reef will handle it. 8ft is for the pros.

Crowds at Ilbaritz are often there, so on those good Friday and Monday mornings, expect company. The break is fairly consistent, so when it fires, the whole crew knows.

The rest of the window has smaller, cleaner moments – like the 21st morning with 5ft NW and glass, but it goes ordinary later. The 22nd is surfable but average. The last week is mostly messy, onshore slop. The morning of the 1st of September has a huge 8ft NW swell with a very long 14-second period and insane energy (2390), but the onshore wind ruins it – probably more for the kite crew than paddle surfers.

So, bottom line: forget the first few days. The clear winner is Friday the 28th of August morning. Monday the 31st is a beast for experts. Everything else is either small, messy, or for the hardcore crew.

Stay keen, I’ll see you in the water.

Rusty

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