Anawhata Road (Oaonui) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. Look, it’s a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. We’re starting quiet, but there are a couple of windows where it might just come together if you’re patient.

The first real chance to get wet is Anawhata Road (Oaonui), a reef setup exposed to the SW. Water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

Saturday the 4th is a write-off – strong cross-off winds in the morning and a fresh breeze in the arvo keep things messy, even with some swell around. Nothing to get excited about.

Sunday the 5th starts rough with rain and moderate cross-off wind, but the afternoon shows some promise. By Sunday arvo the wind goes light offshore from the NNE at 6 mph, and we’ve got a 2 ft W swell with moderate energy (780). The conditions should be clean, making this the standout of the early period. It’s a fairly consistent reef, but crowds are possible on a Sunday, so keep that in mind. The period is a bit short at 9 seconds, so it won't be a groundswell, but the offshore wind will clean it up nicely.

Monday the 6th sees a big jump in size – 8 ft WSW swell with a long period of 13 seconds in the morning and 16 seconds in the arvo. The combined energy is strong (3880). But the wind is cross-off from the ENE, and conditions are only marginal. That long period (over 15 seconds) means it’ll be a proper groundswell, but at this reef, it could still offer some proper walls if you pick the right tide. It’s getting big though – over 8 ft, so this is really only for the experienced crew.

Tuesday the 7th drops off a touch – 8 ft WSW swell with a 15-second period and moderate energy (2508). Wind is cross-off from the ESE in the morning, turning cross in the arvo with a moderate cross-chop. Still marginal, but there’ll be waves for the skilled paddler. Crowds are possible.

Wednesday the 8th jumps up again – 10 ft S swell in the morning with a short 8-second period, building to 12 ft in the arvo. Combined energy is strong (1493-2115). Winds are light cross-off from the ESE, but the period is short, so the waves will be fat and less powerful for the size. This is big, expert-only territory. The beach setup might be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing with this short-period, lumpy energy.

Thursday the 9th is blown out – strong cross and cross-on winds from the SE at 22 mph, and the swell is 10-12 ft. Poor conditions.

Friday the 10th is a mess – near-gale winds from the SSE at 31 mph. Stay on land.

Saturday the 11th stays ugly with fresh cross winds and lumpy 8 ft swell. However, by Saturday arvo the swell drops to 4 ft from the WSW with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is still fresh and cross. Not worth chasing.

Sunday the 12th through Monday the 13th sees the swell fading slowly, but the wind stays up. Conditions are mostly poor with cross-chop.

Tuesday the 14th is tiny – 2 ft WSW swell with light offshore wind in the morning. Very ordinary.

Now, here’s the second real window – Wednesday the 15th. The morning kicks off with a 4 ft WSW swell, 13-second period, and light offshore NE wind at 9 mph. The arvo gets a little better at 4 ft with the same gentle offshore. The combined energy is moderate (511-891). This is a true standout for the forecast – clean conditions, offshore wind, and a reef that will hold that SW swell well. It’s a fairly consistent spot, and crowds are possible. This is the best on offer for the whole 16 days.

Thursday the 16th sees a 6 ft WSW swell with a 15-second period, but the wind turns cross-off in the morning and then fresh cross in the arvo. It’s only marginal.

From Friday the 17th through Sunday the 19th, the swell drops back under 4 ft, and the wind is moderate to strong from the SE, creating lumpy cross-chop. Not recommended.

So, to sum it up: Sunday afternoon the 5th is your first clean, smaller option, and Wednesday the 15th is the absolute pick of the bunch – offshore, clean, and a nice long-period groundswell on the reef. The rest is either too big with poor wind, or too small and messy.

Rusty.

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