The Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve only got one spot on the radar for this stretch, so let’s get into it. The Bowl is a reef setup that takes a solid NW swell, and it’s a place for the experienced crew only. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year, no big surprises there.

The forecast starts off on the quiet side. Wednesday the 9th we’ve got a 3ft swell from the west with a period of 9 seconds, but a cross-shore wind and a marginal score means it’s not really worth paddling out for. The combined energy is weak at 246. Thursday the 10th looks a bit cleaner with some offshore winds, but the swell drops to 2ft, and the energy is even lower at 95. It’s surfable, but barely.

Friday the 11th sees a jump in size to 8ft, but the wind is howling from the WSW at 22 mph. The energy ramps up to 640, but it’s a messy, windy scene. Not a good one. Saturday the 12th is a write-off – 15ft of west swell with a 12-second period, solid energy at 5,557, but the wind is a strong cross-shore at 25 mph. That’s a beast for experts only, and even then, the conditions are poor.

The middle of the week gets a little better. Sunday the 13th drops to 7ft, with a long 11-second period from the WNW. The energy is 1,290, but it’s still cross-shore. It’s a marginal call, but the afternoon session on the 14th is the pick of the early run: 4ft from the north with a 12-second period, light offshore wind, and a clean setup. The combined energy is 571, and it’s labelled as “very good.” That’s your best bet for the first week.

The second week starts to get interesting. Thursday the 17th sees a big 13ft swell from the west, but the wind is offshore and the energy is a strong 3,125. The afternoon even jumps to 16ft and 6,865 energy, but the wind goes cross-shore. That’s a heavy, lumpy session for the brave.

But the standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Sunday the 20th. The Bowl is pumping with a 15ft west swell, a very long 14-second period, and by the afternoon the wind dies to glassy conditions. The combined energy is a massive 8,034. This is exceptional, expert-level surf. The wind is 3 mph from the WSW, and it’s completely glassy. That’s the day.

Monday the 21st keeps the energy high with a 15ft WNW swell and 11-second period, glassy conditions again in the morning, with energy at 4,714. The wind is calm. It’s a solid follow-up session. Wednesday the 23rd also looks good, with a 10ft west swell, 10-second period, and gentle offshore wind. Energy is 2,145, and it’s clean. The afternoon builds to 12ft with a 11-second period and light wind, energy at 3,159. Great options for the experts.

The Bowl is a reef, so those long-period swells (over 15 seconds is very long, and we’ve got 14 seconds here) will wrap in nicely, but it’s not a beginner’s wave – anything over 8ft is for the experienced only. Expect crowds here sometimes.

So, to keep it simple: the first week is choppy and marginal, with Thursday the 14th being the best of a rough bunch. The second week fires up big time, especially Sunday the 20th through Wednesday the 23rd. That’s where the magic is.

Rusty.

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