Shipwrecks (Nusa Lembongan) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what’s coming up in the water.

We’ve got a solid run of surf on the horizon for the Nusa Lembongan area. The pulse of the forecast is a long, persistent SSW groundswell that really kicks into gear later in the first week and keeps pushing through to the second. This is a reef setup, so you’re looking at proper waves – not a beginner’s game when it starts pushing 7 feet-plus.

Best bet of the whole outlook? Lock in Friday the 7th of August for Shipwrecks (Nusa Lembongan) . That morning, we’ve got a clean 7ft SSW swell with a very long period of 17 seconds, and a gentle offshore breeze from the ESE. The water will be warm – 81°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. The combined energy is pumping at (2713), so everything’s gonna have some grunt. Outstanding conditions for experienced surfers – that’s the one you book a day off for.

Leading up to that, Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th are more manageable. Tuesday afternoon sees a clean 4ft SSW swell, period of 14 seconds, a gentle offshore from the SE and that same water temp – a nice intro wave. Wednesday morning steps up a touch to 5ft with a moderate offshore, still clean and very good for getting a warm-up session. Both days have moderate energy in the water, (1015) and (1030) respectively, so it’s not going to bowl you over.

Thursday the 6th is where it starts getting serious. Morning brings 6ft, 17-second SSW groundswell with a moderate offshore from the ESE. The energy jumps to (1978) – that’s substantial. This is a big, clean, powerful day. Afternoon holds similar with 6ft and a 16-second period.

From Friday the 7th morning through to Saturday the 8th afternoon, it’s proper heavy. Friday and Saturday mornings both have 7ft to 7ft SSW swell, 16-17 second periods, and offshore winds. Energy is strong, around (2713) to (2339). This is expert territory – big boils, long waiting periods between sets, and plenty of grunt. Saturday afternoon drops back to 7ft but goes cross-off, so it’s still clean but a little less perfect.

Sunday the 9th is a drop back to 6ft in the morning, moderate offshore, energy at (1788), still very good but a bit more user-friendly.

Now, early the second week – Monday the 10th – shows a spike in size to 8ft on the afternoon, with a very long 18-second period swell, but the wind goes cross-off from the SE and the surf gets described as marginal with questionable tide conditions. Combined energy is massive – (4574). That’s a lot of juice. It might be a beast of a wave, but it might be shutting down or fat on the tide. Same story Tuesday the 11th morning – 8ft, 17 seconds, cross-off, energy (4048). These days are powerful but fickle for the break.

We then get a return to excellent, cleaner conditions from Wednesday the 12th morning. That session is 7ft, 17 seconds, gentle offshore from the SE, energy (2349) – a really solid, clean day for experienced surfers. Thursday the 13th morning is similar with 7ft, same period, gentle offshore – another standout in that second week.

Friday the 14th through to Tuesday the 18th of August keeps the train rolling. Expect solid 6ft to 8ft SSW swell, periods mostly 16-17 seconds, and mostly clean conditions with some offshore and cross-off winds. Energy stays high, bouncing between (1600) and (3200). Several excellent days in that window, especially mornings.

There’s no gap – this is a relentless 16-day run of surf, but it’s not for the timid. The reef and the size mean it’s best left to those with experience. Crowds are listed as “sometimes” at Shipwrecks, and with this kind of consistent, long-period SW groundswell – which is the optimum swell direction for the break – you’d expect a few others to have the same idea.

Stay safe, pick your tides, and don’t be afraid to sit and watch before you paddle out. This is a proper reef set-up with serious energy.

Rusty.

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