Zoo (Bull Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty.

Look, I’m gonna level with you straight up. This forecast for Zoo (Bull Bay) is a tough one. We’re looking at a solid 16-day window, but honestly, there’s not a single standout session that’s got me jumping out of my wetsuit. The overall pattern is a persistent, moderate ESE swell running through the whole period, but it’s constantly getting messed up by cross-onshore winds. The wave energy is moderate to strong - you’ll see values like 569, 845, and even 1060, 1989 later on - so there’s power in the water, but the quality is just not there for paddle surfing.

Starting off now, Thursday the 30th of July through the weekend and into early August, the swell is sitting around 5ft to 8ft. The period is short, only 8 to 9 seconds, so it’s a windswell, not a proper groundswell. The wind is a constant cross-on from the ESE, making it choppy and poor. The water temperature is 84°F, which is about 0.9°F off the norm, so pretty typical for this time of year, but that’s the only thing that’s typical. The scores are all zeros and ones, and the comments all say “poor surf conditions” or “marginal.” It’s not happening.

We’ve got a long gap of nothing but mediocrity. The first real window where it might be worth a look is on Thursday the 6th of August in the morning, when the wind drops to a light breeze from the SE at 6 mph. The swell is 7ft from the ESE with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is 644. The wind is still cross-on, but lighter, so it’s less choppy. It’s still marginal, but it’s the best of a bad lot. You’d be out there, but you wouldn’t be stoked.

Then, as we get into the second week, around the 12th of August, the swell energy really picks up - we’re talking 1610 on Wednesday morning, and 1989 on Friday the 14th. The swell height hits 8ft, which is getting into expert-only territory, especially with a short 9-second period and a cross-on wind. That’s a lot of power, but it’s messy. Those sessions on the 14th of August have better scores - a 2 out of 10 - with a light breeze, but it’s still cross-on. For a reef break like Zoo, which is exposed to the SSE swell but needs a good offshore wind, this ESE cross-on is just not doing it any favors.

Honestly, the setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. The wind is cross-on, consistent, and the swell has enough energy. For us regular surfers, we’re waiting for a proper calm morning or a wind shift that just isn’t coming in this forecast. It’s a long, blank run of poor conditions. Don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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