Padang Padang Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking.

We’re fixin’ on one spot for the whole run: Padang Padang. This is a fickle, inconsistent reef set-up that only fires when everything lines up, and it’s an advanced wave only. It’s fairly exposed to the swell, and it loves that SW direction. The water’s about average for this time of year, so nothing weird there.

The first few days are a bit of a tease. Saturday the 25th has some clean, offshore ESE breeze, but the swell is small at 4ft to 4ft from the SSW with a long 14-15 second period, and the combined energy is moderate (1010 and 999). The conditions are there, but the tide and energy aren’t making it worth paddling out for anything special.

Sunday the 26th jumps up in size – 7ft to 8ft – but the period drops to 9 seconds and the direction swings SE. That’s a short-period windswell, and the energy actually drops (982 and 1135). The wind stays clean offshore, but the wave quality is marginal. It’s a bit of a messy mix.

Monday the 27th is a write-off. Strong breeze, 8-second period, poor conditions. The energy is moderate (795, 712) but it’s just not worth it.

Tuesday the 28th through Wednesday the 29th sees the swell drop back to 3ft to 4ft, but the period goes back to 14-16 seconds and the direction is SSW again. The energy is moderate (714 to 906) and the wind is clean offshore. It’s surfable, but not a standout.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st – the swell ticks up to 5ft and 4ft, but the period goes to 15 seconds and then 17 seconds. The energy jumps to 1513 and 1513. Friday afternoon actually gets a solid “excellent” call. The wind is a moderate offshore breeze. This is a good window for skilled surfers.

The real standout, though, is the first week of August. Saturday the 1st morning has 5ft, 16-second SSW groundswell, clean offshore ESE wind at 12 mph, and a combined energy of 1728. That’s a solid, clean set-up. Sunday the 2nd morning is even bigger: 6ft, 16-second period, and the energy rockets to 3008. The wind is 12 mph offshore. This is the best on offer. The wave will be long, powerful, and clean. It’s a proper paddle-out.

Monday the 3rd pushes up to 8ft with 16-second period, but the wind picks up to 19 mph. That’s a lot of power (2997 energy) but the wind is strong offshore. It’s doable for experts, but it’s getting hairy. Tuesday the 4th is back to a more manageable 7ft to 7ft, with 15-second period, lighter wind at 16 mph, and excellent conditions. This is another top-tier window.

The second week has more clean, offshore wind and solid SW swell. From the 5th to the 9th, you’re looking at 5ft to 7ft, periods of 14 to 16 seconds, and energy ranging from 959 up to 2451. The wind stays offshore, mostly moderate breeze. The 7th, 8th, and 9th all have excellent surf calls with 7ft to 7ft, 15-16 second period, and clean conditions. The 9th morning has 7ft, 15-second period, and 2451 energy – that’s a powerful, clean standout.

Best bet: Sunday the 2nd of August morning, and that whole run from the 4th to the 9th. This is a lineup for the confident crew only. Crowds are possible, so be ready for company.

Rusty.

Read more