CatchWindow fishing intelligence

Bondi Beach, NSW Daily Water Report — August 28, 2026

On the water today at Bondi, the standout call is diving, with a near-flawless 9.1/10 that edges out all other activities. Conditions are nearly glassy beneath the surface—light SSE winds at just 3 knots, backed by a high-pressure ridge holding steady at 1026 hPa and rising, which means stable air and minimal chop. Waves sit at a clean 1.06 meters on a 10-second period, with the primary swell arriving from 154 degrees at 8.5 seconds. For divers, that gentle sea state and water temperature of 17.8°C—a hair above the long-term average—creates excellent conditions for bottom time. Morning is the prime window here: the sun rises at 06:20, and winds are forecast to stay under 5 knots through mid-morning before the sea breeze kicks up gusts toward 18 knots by late afternoon, which will roughen the surface. Surfers get an 8.4/10, matching yesterday's score, and while the 1-meter swell isn't huge, the long period and clean SSE wind alignment should groom the face nicely through the morning. The combo of a 10-second wave period and light breeze means shoulder-high lines with decent shape, but don't expect any heavy barrels—this is more about clean, cruisy rides. The full moon overhead adds a subtle pull on the tide, though without specific tide data we can only note the solunar major peak around 11:08 to 13:08, which may shift tidal currents slightly. By the afternoon, increasing wind will chop the surface, so aim for the early session. Boating scores an 8.2/10, a slight dip from yesterday's 8.4, but still solid. The calmest seas occur near 23:00 tonight, when waves bottom out at 1.04 meters, though the stronger gusts at 16:00 could make for a bumpy ride if you're out late. Kayaking at 7.4/10 is workable, best in the sheltered morning hours before the breeze builds. Fishing rates a middling 6.9/10—the high pressure and full moon offer some opportunity, but the rising barometer and lack of rain suggest a slower bite compared to last Sunday's 7.6/10 score. Wildlife watching at 7.1/10 benefits from the early minor solunar period at dawn, with clear skies and excellent visibility over 50 kilometers. Compared to recent days, today's diving score ties the best of the past week, while surfing holds steady at the same level as yesterday's top mark. The water is 1.4 degrees warmer than this time last week, a pleasant late-winter boost. Looking ahead, Friday brings a slight chance of rain and peaking winds near 7 knots, knocking surf quality down as swell drops to 1.0-1.2 meters. The weekend shapes up nicely though: Saturday's wave heights dip to 0.9-1.0 meters with lighter winds and zero rain chance, and by Tuesday next week, seas flatten to under a meter with near-calm conditions—ideal for a transition into spring paddling and diving. For today, the best bet is to suit up early, drop below the surface, and let the high-pressure stillness do the work.