Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa forecast by Craig Brokensha (issued Tuesday 13th October)

Best Days: Every day over the coming period, especially from the weekend when the trades really back off

This week and next week (Oct 14 - 23)

Fun but inconsistent SW groundswell today across the region, with this set to ease through the afternoon, dropping to 4-5ft across exposed breaks tomorrow before really tailing away Thursday.

A very inconsistent long-period but strong SW groundswell due later in the week, mentioned last update is still on track. This swell was produced by a vigorous and slow moving polar low under South Africa late last week, aiming a healthy fetch of gale to severe-gale W/SW winds towards us.

Due to the extremely large distance between the source of the swell and our region, the wait between sets will be quite excessive. The long-period forerunners are due to arrive Thursday evening, but without any major size, with the bulk of the swell due into Friday afternoon/evening, peaking overnight and easing Saturday.

Swell magnets should build to a very infrequent 6ft late in the day Friday, with possible 8ft bombs, easing from a similar size range early Saturday. The easing trend is then due to be softened into Sunday by some reinforcing S/SW swell from weak frontal activity currently off the WA coast.

Into next week, a small to moderate S/SW groundswell pulse is due Monday from a late forming low pressure system in our southern swell window. A better S/SW groundswell pulse is due later Tuesday and Wednesday though, from a stronger and more favourably positioned low forming Friday.

This should aim a fetch of gale to severe-gale SW winds towards us, producing a fun S/SW groundswell Wednesday peaking to 6ft to occasionally 8ft across exposed breaks, easing Thursday and further Friday.

Moderate to fresh E/SE trades tomorrow and Thursday are due to becoming more variable from Saturday, opening up plenty of options across the region for a surf.

16 day Bali Forecast Graph
16 day East Java Forecast Graph
16 day Sumbawa Forecast Graph