Padang Padang Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got the outlook for Padang Padang (Indonesia). This is a world-class reef break that’s inconsistent, so when it’s on, it’s a real treat—but you’ll need patience. The water’s sitting at 79°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The next few days are a bit of a mixed bag, but the quality builds as we go. Friday the 24th starts us off with a south-southwest swell at 3ft-3ft and a long period of 17 seconds—proper groundswell that’ll wrap into the reef beautifully. Winds are offshore from the southeast at 16 mph, keeping things clean. The combined swell energy is moderate (839-862), but it’s a bit marginal. Saturday the 25th sees the swell bump up to 4ft off the same direction, but the wind shifts cross-offshore and kicks up to 19 mph, making it more tricky. Consistency is a worry here, but the offshore kicks in again later in the day.

Sunday the 26th is a write-off for me: the swell jumps to 7ft-8ft but from the southeast with a short period of 9 seconds, and while the wind is offshore, that short period makes for lumpy, disorganised waves. The energy is strong (1047-1213), but it’s not the kind of surf you want on a reef like this. Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th are similar—southeast swell, short period, and strong winds—so I’d give them a miss.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. From Wednesday the 29th, the swell starts to clean up as it swings back to the south-southwest, with periods climbing back to 14-15 seconds. Winds are offshore every afternoon, and the energy is solid (999-1013). But the real standout kicks in on Friday the 31st of July: a south-southwest swell at 4ft with a 17-second period, offshore winds from the east-southeast at 12-16 mph, and the combined energy is strong (1446-1480). That’s the best on offer for the first week—clean, powerful, and that reef will be firing. Crowds are sometimes a problem here, and with the inconsistency, it’ll be worth the wait.

The second week looks even better if you can hold out. Saturday the 1st of August brings a 5ft-6ft south-southwest swell, 16-18 second period, and offshore winds—energy is very strong (1542-2575). Sunday the 2nd of August is the absolute standout: 6ft-7ft south-southwest swell, 16-18 seconds, light offshore winds, and energy is pumping (3124-3485). This is the kind of day that’ll have you calling in sick. It’s pushing into expert territory at over 7ft, but the quality is excellent. The trend continues through Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th, with solid 6ft-7ft swells and clean offshore winds.

A bit of caution: on Wednesday the 5th, the swell is 7ft-8ft with a shorter period of 15 seconds, and cross-offshore winds—still surfable for experts, but not as clean. The rest of the week into Thursday the 8th of August holds steady with 5ft-7ft south-southwest swell, long periods, and offshore winds every afternoon. The energy stays strong to very strong (1514-2486). For a spot that’s inconsistent, this is a rare run of good surf.

If you’re not an advanced surfer, be careful when the swell tops 5ft, and over 8ft it’s experts only. The long period here means the wave will have plenty of shape, but it’s a reef, so respect the place.

Rusty.

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