Shipwrecks (Nusa Lembongan) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for us at Shipwrecks (Nusa Lembongan) – a solid reef setup that’s consistent and handles a southerly swell well.

The good news? We’ve got surf on the board right from the get-go, so no dry spell to kick things off. The season is serving up a steady run of SSW groundswell, and the water is sitting at a warm 82° today, which is about average for this time of year – nothing wild, just your usual tropical bathwater.

Monday afternoon sees the first wave of swell roll in – 4ft from the SSW at a very long 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, lots of energy (1163) but the wind is a cross-off SE breeze at 16 mph. It’ll be surfable, but a bit lumpy, and those long-period lines might jack a little too straight on a beach break; however, here at the reef, they should bend in nicely. Not a standout, but it gets us started.

Tuesday morning improves. 4ft, still a long 16 seconds, but now the wind goes full offshore from the SE at 19 mph – fresh and clean. That’s a proper session waiting, with moderate wave energy (759). The afternoon sees the wind slacken a touch and turn cross-off, but the morning is the call.

Now, let’s talk about the real standout. Wednesday, July 8th, morning. This is the pick of the first week. Swell bumps up to 6ft from the SSW, 15-second period, with clean offshore wind (SE 16 mph). Wave energy is cranked to 1270 – solid, punchy power. This isn’t for beginners; at 6ft over a reef, you’ll want your wits about you. But for the experienced crew? This is where it lights up. The afternoon holds at 6ft with even more energy (1608), though the wind turns cross-off, so the morning window is the one to chase.

Thursday July 9th morning brings rain showers and a fresh 22 mph ESE offshore wind, with 6ft SSW swell at 15 seconds. The energy is big (1739) – strong. The wind is howling offshore, so it’ll be clean but blown-out in the face. Friday and Saturday continue the run of solid 5ft to 5ft SSW groundswell with offshore winds, all moderate to fresh. Consistent, clean, and good.

Looking further out, the second week has a few highlights but the signal is a little less certain. Sunday July 12th morning drops to 2ft – a real lull – but the afternoon jumps back up to 5ft from the SE with a short 7-second period. That’s windswell, not the same quality. Monday July 13th is similar, with a mix of small SE windswell and a late pulse of 3ft SSW groundswell.

Tuesday July 14th morning is the second standout in the longer range. 4ft from the SSW, 17 seconds, with a fresh offshore ESE wind at 19 mph. Wave energy is 1373 – serious grunt. The afternoon gets even better: 4ft, but with an 18-second period and energy of 1799. That’s a very long-period groundswell, and with clean moderate offshore wind, it’s promising for lined-up waves on the reef – though it might make the paddle out a bit easier between sets. Mark that one.

Wednesday July 15th morning holds at 6ft, 16 seconds, with clean offshore wind – another good one. Then things taper toward the 16th and 17th with smaller, cross-off winds and questionable tide conditions.

Sunday July 19th morning is worth a mention: 6ft from the SW, 16 seconds, with a gentle offshore breeze – light, clean, and energy at 1634. That’s a mellow but powerful morning, good for a long session.

From the 20th onward, the swell drops back to 4–5ft, all clean offshore wind, but nothing that screams “drop everything and go” compared to the earlier peaks.

Overall, the first week is your best bet, with Wednesday July 8th morning and Tuesday July 14th as the true standouts. Reef break, long-period groundswell, offshore wind – that’s the formula. Crowds can be a factor here at Shipwrecks, so for those peak days, expect some company, but the quality of the wave makes it worth sharing.

This is Rusty, signing off.

Read more