Anawhata Road (Oaonui) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming over the next couple of weeks. The standout window is right at the start, but there’s also a promising session way out towards the end of the period that could be worth keeping an eye on.

First up, Tuesday the 28th of July at Anawhata Road (Oaonui) – this is where you want to be. The morning is looking choice. Clean conditions with a light cross-offshore breeze from the ESE at 6 mph, and the swell is a solid 5ft from the WSW with an 11-second period. The wave energy is pumping at 555 (moderate energy). It’s a reef break that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the SW swell, which matches the optimum direction. Expect very good surf conditions – this is the best on offer early. Be aware, crowds can turn up here sometimes. The water temp is about average for this time of year.

That morning session on Tuesday is the pick, because by Tuesday afternoon it drops off. The wind swings to a cross-shore SSE at 9 mph, and the surf becomes marginal with some cross-chop creeping in.

Wednesday the 29th sees the swell dip a bit to 4ft from the WSW. The mornings are clean with a cross-offshore NNE breeze, but the overall surf quality is marginal. The afternoons stay similar, with a stronger cross-offshore breeze.

Thursday the 30th offers 5ft swell with a long 14-second period, and the morning has a cross-offshore NNW breeze. The energy is moderate (753), but again, the call is marginal. That long period (groundswell) will make it more lined up and powerful, but with rain showers around, it’s not a clear standout.

Then things go a bit wild from Friday the 31st. A big, messy swell hits. On Friday morning, we get 13ft from the WNW with a short 9-second period, and a strong cross-on breeze at 28 mph. Wave energy is huge (3019), but the conditions are poor – strong cross-onshore and messy. Friday afternoon sees it jump to 16ft from the W with an 11-second period and energy hitting 6893. This is heavy, powerful, and messy – for experts only, and even then, the wind is horrible. The whole day is a write-off for quality surfing.

Saturday the 1st of August stays big. 16ft from the WSW on Saturday morning with a near gale from the SE at 31 mph. The wave energy is massive (9257), but again, poor conditions. The afternoon backs down to 13ft but with a fresh cross-shore producing lumpy chop. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Sunday the 2nd sees the swell drop to 6ft, but it’s still marginal with a fresh cross-offshore wind. Not worth getting excited about.

Monday the 3rd of August has a notable session in the morning. Swell is only 4ft from the WSW, but the period is a very long 19 seconds – that’s serious groundswell energy. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the ESE at 9 mph. The wave energy is strong at 1384 (moderate to strong). This creates excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers. The long period means it’ll be clean and powerful, but at a reef setup it should handle that well. A good low-key session for those who know what they’re doing.

Tuesday the 4th is mostly poor to marginal, and Wednesday the 5th tries to pick up with 7ft from the WSW and a 13-second period. The morning has a clean cross-offshore breeze, but the call is still marginal.

Thursday the 6th of August morning looks decent again. Swell is 5ft from the WSW with a 12-second period, light cross-offshore breeze from the ESE at 6 mph, and wave energy of 937 (moderate). Expect very good surf conditions – clean and solid. This is a worthy backup session.

Friday the 7th of August morning is glassy with a 3ft groundswell from the WSW and a 13-second period. Calm winds, clean conditions. Very good surf, but small.

The real long-range standout is Sunday the 9th of August morning. Glassy conditions with a NNE breeze at 3 mph, and the swell is 4ft from the WSW with a very long 15-second period. Wave energy is moderate (869). Expect very good surf – clean, lined up, and inviting. The afternoon holds similar quality with a cross-offshore breeze. This is a promising session for a Sunday morning paddle.

Monday the 10th is marginal but rideable, and Tuesday the 11th drops off.
Then on Wednesday the 12th of August morning, we get another solid option: 5ft from the WSW with a 16-second period, light cross-offshore from the N at 6 mph. Wave energy is 1137 (moderate to strong). Excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers. That long-period groundswell will stack up nicely on the reef.

So, the two true standouts: Tuesday the 28th of July morning for the best combination of size and clean conditions, and Sunday the 9th of August morning for a glassy, long-period treat. The long-range stuff is promising but less certain. Get in the water when you can.

Rusty.

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