The Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Right, let’s have a look at what the next couple of weeks have got lined up for us at The Bowl.

We’re starting off a bit flat, to be honest. The first couple of days don't offer much worth getting wet for, but things start to pick up from Monday morning the 14th. The Bowl is an exposed reef setup, advanced only, and it gets a solid WNW swell wrapping in. The water is sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year—nothing out of the ordinary there.

Monday the 14th kicks off with a clean, offshore southerly breeze, 12 mph, and a small 3 ft swell from the NNW with a nice 12-second period. That’s proper groundswell—longer period, more push, and those gaps between sets make paddling out a bit easier. The combined energy is moderate (386). It’s small but clean. By the afternoon, the swell fills in a touch to 4 ft from the west, period drops to 9 seconds, but the wind swings light southerly offshore again—still clean. Not big, but workable and glassy.

Tuesday the 15th, the swell bumps up to 6 ft from the WNW, 11-second period, but the wind turns onshore from the west at 16 mph, and it’s choppy. Combined energy jumps to 845 (moderate), but the quality is poor. The afternoon gets worse—22 mph cross-shore and lumpy. Not worth it.

Wednesday the 16th is a write-off—7 ft from the NNW with a short 8-second period and a fresh cross-onshore. Combined energy is strong at 1073, but it’s messy and blown out. Thursday the 17th offers a bit of hope. The swell sits at 6 ft from the west, 10 seconds, with a clean cross-offshore breeze in the morning. The afternoon gets bigger—8 ft from the west, 10 seconds—combined energy jumps to 1375 (strong). That’s big enough for experienced crew only. The wind is strong though, 22 mph cross-offshore, but it stays clean. Could be some big, lined-up waves for those who know what they’re doing.

Friday the 18th gets wild. The morning shows 13 ft from the WNW with a 14-second period—that’s very long period groundswell, proper energy (6459). The wind is howling cross-shore at 28 mph. That’s not paddle surfing; that’s kite territory. The afternoon drops to 12 ft, still big, still messy.

Saturday the 19th keeps the size up—10 ft from the west, 11 seconds—but the wind is strong and cross-off in the morning, so it stays clean. Combined energy is 1792 (strong). The afternoon is a near gale, 31 mph cross-shore. Forget it.

Sunday the 20th is the biggest of the run—18 ft to 20 ft from the WNW, 13-second period, combined energy through the roof (9520 to 12661). The wind is near gale force, but the morning is clean cross-offshore. That’s expert-only, life-or-death territory. Not for the faint-hearted.

Monday the 21st, the swell eases to 15 ft, 13-second period, but the wind is lighter—moderate cross-shore in the morning, then near glassy cross-onshore in the afternoon. Combined energy is still strong (6126 and 3445). It’s still big, but the lighter wind might make it more manageable for the brave.

From Tuesday the 22nd, the size drops right back—6 ft from the WNW, 10 seconds—but the wind is cross-off in the morning, so it’s clean. Afternoon gets messy again. Wednesday the 23rd brings another spike—15 ft to 21 ft from the WNW, with short to long periods, but the wind is onshore and lumpy. Not good.

The real standout? I’d say Monday the 21st into Tuesday the 22nd. Monday has 12 ft to 15 ft groundswell from the WNW, very long 12-13 second periods, and the wind is light—almost glassy in the afternoon. That’s rare. Combined energy is still strong but dropping, and the reef will handle that long-period swell nicely. The Bowl likes it from the NW, and we’re close. That’s your window. The morning of Thursday the 17th is a decent backup—clean cross-off, 6 ft, 10 seconds—but Monday the 21st is the one.

Crowds are listed as “sometimes” at The Bowl, so you might have a few out, but with these conditions, it’ll be worth jostling for a spot.

No other breaks in the data, so that’s your lot. Get on it if you can, and keep an eye on the forecast—things can change.

Rusty.

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