Padang Padang Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead for Padang Padang, but you’ll have to be patient through the first week. The swell is there, but it’s mostly marginal and the tides are a bit off. The real standout action kicks in during the last few days of July and into early August, when the groundswell lines up with clean offshore winds. The water temp is sitting at 80°F with an anomaly of 0.4°F, so it’s pretty much normal for this time of year.

Monday 20 July kicks things off with a 7ft SSW swell riding a 16-second period out of the SSW. That’s a proper groundswell, and the energy is cooking at 2321 – strong enough to get the reef working. Wind is offshore at 19 mph from the SE, so it’ll be clean. But the report flags it as marginal, likely due to tide. Still, for the advanced crew, this is the biggest pulse early on.

Tuesday 21 July drops to 6ft SSW, 14-second period, with offshore ESE wind at 19 mph. Clean but still only a 3/10. Wednesday 22 July is smaller at 4ft, and the energy drops to 748, so it’s getting weaker. Thursday through Saturday are all below 4ft and mostly just average. Nothing to get excited about.

Sunday 26 July brings a shift: 6ft SE swell but with a short 8-second period, and the wind cranks up to 25 mph offshore. Paddling into that will be a nightmare – the report says “strong offshore and clean but hard to paddle into” – so only for the fittest and most experienced.

Monday 27 July is messy with cross-offshore wind and a 5ft short-period SE swell. Not worth it.

Now, here’s where it gets good. Wednesday 29 July afternoon – 4ft SSW swell, 14-second period, 12 mph ESE offshore wind, and the guidance says “expect very good surf conditions.” Energy is 906, moderate. This is a nice little window.

Thursday 30 July sees the swell building: 5ft SSW, 15-second period by afternoon, energy hitting 1615. Winds are light offshore. It’s clean and has some grunt.

Friday 31 July morning is a ripper – 5ft SSW, 14-second period, 12 mph offshore, with “very good” conditions. Friday afternoon keeps it going with 4ft SSW, 17-second period – that’s very long period groundswell, perfect for the reef. Paddling out will be easier between sets.

The real standout? Saturday 1 August. Both morning and afternoon are “excellent for experienced surfers.” Morning has 5ft SW swell, 17-second period, 16 mph offshore, energy at 1660. Afternoon is 6ft SW, 17 seconds, 1764 energy. That’s the best of the whole forecast. The wind is moderate offshore, the swell direction (SW) matches the optimum for Padang Padang, and the long period means long, powerful waves. It’s an advanced spot, and it’s inconsistent, so you’ll need to wait for sets, but when they come – hold on. The crowds can be an issue here sometimes, but on a day this good, it’s worth the company.

Sunday 2 August holds at 5ft SW, 15 seconds, but the energy is still strong at 1477. Monday 3 August is solid too – 5ft SW, 14-15 seconds, with “very good” conditions. Tuesday 4 August wraps it up beautifully: morning 5ft SW, 14 seconds, 1581 energy; afternoon 4ft SSW, 18 seconds, 1893 energy. Both are rated “excellent for experienced surfers.” That 18-second period is about as long as it gets – pure groundswell, long lulls, and reeling waves on the reef.

So, if you’re an experienced surfer, the last few days of July and the first week of August are your window. The 1st of August is the pick of the bunch. For the beginners, the swell is over 5ft on that day, so sit it out. But for the rest of you – get ready.

Rusty.

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