Sanur Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s coming our way. Let’s be straight with you, the next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag. We've got a consistent run of solid, long-period SSW groundswell, but the wind is gonna be a persistent problem. It’s mostly going to be a cross-onshore breeze, which will keep things choppy and messy, so you’ll really have to work for your waves. The water temp is sitting right on 79°, which is basically spot on for this time of year, so at least the water feels good.

Alright, the first real shot at something rideable kicks off on Tuesday the 18th of August. In the morning, we’ve got a 4ft swell rolling in from the SSW with a very long 16-second period, packing a lot of energy (1867). The wind is light cross-onshore though, leaving things fairly choppy. It’s not perfect, but it’s the start of the run. The afternoon bumps up to 6ft with the same long period, but the wind picks up and the conditions turn poor.

The next few days see the swell holding strong, Wednesday the 19th seeing a bump to 7ft in the morning with a super long 18-second period, and energy readings hitting 3068, but it’s still cross-onshore and choppy. It’s the same story right through to the end of the week—decent size and energy, but the wind just won’t cooperate.

The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd is more of the same grind. Saturday morning has a 7ft swell with that 16-second period, but 16 mph cross-onshore winds make it a total write-off for surf. By Saturday afternoon, the wind drops to 9 mph and the swell drops a touch to 6ft, and it’s back to that ‘marginal’ category, but it’s still a bumpy ride.

The following week, from the 24th onward, the conditions stay poor or marginal, with continued cross-onshore winds and energy levels slowly dropping. Thursday the 27th sees a bit of relief with the wind going more cross-shore in the afternoon, and the swell coming in at 5ft with a 16-second period. It’s still only a marginal call, but it’s the first time you’re not getting blown off your line the whole time.

The real highlight, and the only one I’d call a standout in this whole 16-day window, is looking like the weekend of the 30th and 31st. On Sunday the 30th of August, the wind finally swings cleanly cross-shore at 9 mph. The swell is a bit smaller at 3ft in the morning, but it’s a very long 18-second period, which means clean, lined-up sets if you can find a good bank. The energy is decent (1207). The afternoon is a little bigger at 4ft with the same 18-second period. Then Monday the 31st of August looks even better. Morning has a 6ft SSW swell with a 16-second period and light cross-shore winds of just 6 mph. This is your best chance for clean, makeable waves at Sanur Reef. The afternoon holds similar size but the wind goes slightly more onshore, so the morning of the 31st is your absolute target date.

Remember, this spot is an inconsistent reef break, and it’s sheltered, so you need the right swell direction and tide. It’s an advanced wave too, so not one for beginners. Given that it’s a sheltered reef, that very long period groundswell is a positive, not a caveat. You’ll get clean lines wrapping in, but the consistent cross-onshore wind for most of the rest of the window will just keep things messy.

Stay patient, keep an eye on the wind, and pencil in that Monday morning for a proper go.

Rusty

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