Ketewel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – the outlook for the next couple of weeks at Ketewel is a bit of a tough one to write. We’re looking at a long stretch of challenging conditions, so let’s get into it.

The first decent surf to speak of doesn't really show up until Tuesday the 14th of July. Before that, we're looking at a few days of small, messy swell with a persistent cross-onshore wind. The water temp is sitting at a warm 82°F, which is about average for this time of year – nothing to complain about there.

The best bet in the whole 16-day window, and I mean the only real standout, looks to be Tuesday the 14th of July. We’ve got a solid SSW swell pushing through, with chest-to-head high waves (6ft to 6ft) and a period of 17 to 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, full of energy and shape. The combined energy is strong, hitting values of 2579 and 2251. That’s the kind of juice that makes a reef break like Ketewel (Bali) start to hum. It’s a sheltered spot, taking the best from the south, so this swell direction is right on the money. Now, the wind is still cross-on, but it's a gentle breeze, so the chop won't be too bad. It’s a picky, advanced reef break, and it's inconsistent, so you'll need to be patient and on your game. It can get crowded here sometimes, so be ready to share the takeoff zone. For a crew of experienced surfers, this is the day to circle on the calendar.

After that little spike, the swell drops back a touch, but the wind stays a problem. Through the rest of the week and into the next, we’re stuck with a moderate breeze that keeps the surface bumpy. The swell is still there, but the quality just isn't coming together. The combined energy values drop into the 3-digit range, hovering around 1000 to 1500, which is moderate at best. There’s a hint of something bigger building for Monday the 20th of July, with a 8ft swell from the SSW, but the wind is still cross-on. The energy is strong (3283), but the forecast says poor surf conditions, so it’s not a reliable call.

The bottom line is that this is a dry spell, mate. Apart from that Tuesday the 14th, it's a grind. For a spot that’s inconsistent by nature, a blank run like this is pretty normal. The surf will be there, but it'll be a battle against the wind. The setups we see on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of July, with bigger swell and that same cross-on wind, might actually look more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer at a beach-and-reef setup like this. Keep your eyes on the forecasts, because they can change, but for now, temper your expectations.

Rusty, signing off.

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