Shipwrecks (Nusa Lembongan) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks in the water.

Alright, mate, this forecast is a bit of a slow burner, but there are some absolute gems hiding in the second half for those who are patient. The first few days are fun and clean, but the real standout action is down the track.

We kick off on Friday the 17th at Shipwrecks (Nusa Lembongan). The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 82°. The morning is the pick with a 4ft SSW swell and a 15-second period, giving it some real push. The wind is offshore from the SE, so expect clean, lined-up waves. The combined energy is strong at 1229, so there’s plenty of power in the water. It’s a consistent reef break, so it’s a solid option for advanced surfers, though crowds are sometimes a factor.

Saturday the 18th keeps the good streak going. Morning offers a similar 4ft SW swell with a 15-second period, still clean under offshore winds. The energy is still strong at 821. Afternoon drops a touch to 4ft, but still fun.

Sunday the 19th sees the wind pick up to 19 mph, but it’s still offshore. The swell hangs around 4ft, though the period drops to 13 seconds, making it a bit less grunty. The energy drops to moderate (639-643). It’s still surfable, but not as good.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 20th brings a jump in size. Morning sees a 6ft SSW groundswell with a 17-second period, and the combined energy is very strong at 1977. The wind is offshore, so it’s clean and powerful. This is a serious option for experienced surfers, but it’s not for beginners. The afternoon gets a bit messy with cross-offshore winds, so the morning is the clear call.

The middle of the week, from the 21st to the 24th, is a bit of a lull. Swell drops below 3ft for a few days, and the wind goes cross-offshore. It’s not a write-off, but it’s very ordinary. The energy is mostly in the 400-600 range, so it’s weak.

The first big standout is Saturday the 25th. The swell comes back to 4ft from the SSW, with a 14-second period, and the wind is clean offshore. The energy is moderate but building (984 in the afternoon). It’s a great return to form.

The best of the entire forecast is Sunday the 26th. The morning offers a 7ft swell from the SE, but the period is a short 8 seconds. That’s a lot of wind-swell energy, and for a reef break like Shipwrecks, it might be a bit messy and closed out. The combined energy is strong at 1243, but that short period is a caveat. This is really only for experts. The afternoon drops to 5ft with the same short period.

Then we have a bit of a gap with weak surf (3ft-4ft) on the 27th and 28th, though the 28th does see a long-period SSW groundswell of 18 seconds and 17 seconds, which is a tease for clean conditions.

The final standout is Thursday the 30th of July. The swell is only 3ft, but the period is a massive 22 seconds. That is a very long-period groundswell. The wind is offshore, and the energy is strong at 1161. This is a classic reef break scenario, and that long period will bend around the reef, offering long, walling waves. It’s not a big day, but the quality will be exceptional.

Looking ahead to Friday the 31st of July, it gets big again. A 6ft SSW groundswell with a 19-second period and very strong energy of 2684. This is a serious swell, but conditions look a bit more questionable with cross-offshore winds in the afternoon. The morning session with offshore wind would be the go, but it’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.

The first of August shows a 6ft SW swell holding, with the afternoon improving to clean conditions.

So, to sum it up: the best windows are the morning of Monday the 20th for a solid, powerful swell, and the morning of Thursday the 30th of July for absolute quality, long-period waves. The biggest day is the 31st of July, but it’s a bit of a wildcard with the wind.

Rusty.

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