Anawhata Road (Oaonui) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, it's your man Rusty here with the surf outlook for this little stretch. For the next few weeks, we've got one main spot that's on the radar, but it's a bit of a mixed bag. We're looking at a good block of swell mid-week, but we've got to pick our windows carefully because things get pretty wild and messy after that.

We start off with a bit of a lull, with the first real call being on Thursday, the 23rd of July. Look, Thursday morning is looking pretty alright. Anawhata Road (Oaonui) will have a solid 5ft WSW groundswell with a good 13 second period behind it, and that means proper lines. The energy's moderate (902), but the real kicker is that light NNW cross-offshore breeze, making it clean. The water temp feels pretty average for the time of year, so no shocks there. This is your best bet for the start of the run. Thursday afternoon goes a bit marginal with a stronger cross-shore, so stick to the morning. Then Friday the 24th sees a big jump in wind, 25 mph from the NNW, even though it's cross-off. The swell comes up to 8ft but the period drops to a jumbly 7 seconds, so it's going to be lumpy. The combined energy jumps way up to 888, but it's just messy. Hard pass.

Saturday the 25th of July is a write-off for us. We've got a straight-on gale from the WSW at 34 mph with a 16ft swell in the morning. That jumps to a massive 23ft on the afternoon with 18244 energy. It's just too big and blown out for even the most experienced crew at this reef. This setup would be more interesting for the kite surfers than paddle surfers. This onshore wind pattern hangs around for Sunday the 26th, with an 8ft to 7ft swell and fresh cross/onshore breezes. It's rough.

Now, here's the standout if you're a confident surfer. Monday, the 27th of July, is the morning to circle on the calendar. We're talking 8ft of WSW groundswell with a 13 second period, and the combined energy is a strong 4377. But the beauty is the wind: totally glassy, 0 mph, from the NNW. That's the ticket for a reef break like this, though this size is best left for the experts. The crowd profile suggests it can get some people out there, but with that power, it'll be the dedicated locals. Tuesday morning the 28th is still a good option with a smaller 5ft swell and light cross-off winds. Clean lines on offer with moderate energy (683).

After that, the swell backs off a touch. Wednesday the 29th of July is a sneaky little dark horse. The morning is a bit nothing, but Wednesday afternoon has a neat 3ft groundswell from the WSW with a very long 14 second period. The wind is a light cross-offshore, and the combined energy is 702. It sounds small, but that period will wrap in with some nice shaped lines on a favourable tide. It'll be clean and less crowded.

Things get interesting as we head into the next week. On Thursday the 30th, we've got a strong 5ft to 6ft swell with a very long 15 to 16 second period. The afternoon sees fresh offshore winds from the NNE making it clean again. Good energy (1490). On Friday the 31st of July the trend continues, but the morning has a cross-off breeze. The real highlight for the start of August is Friday afternoon. An excellent 8ft swell from the WSW with a 14 second period and moderate offshore winds from the NE. That's an excellent call for experienced surfers. The energy is strong at 2553.

The first weekend of August is stormy again. Sunday the 2nd of August is another huge one, but you have to get the morning. It's a 15ft swell from the SSE with a 10 second period, and the wind is totally glassy. That's 4280 energy. Again, it's for the experts only on a clean morning, but the afternoon is blown out by 25 mph winds. The rest of that week into the second week of August is pretty poor. The wind turns onshore again from the SW and WSW, with solid swell but constant chop, so the surf quality will be junk. The forecasts are less reliable this far out, but the pattern looks shut down from the 3rd onwards with persistent onshore winds.

So, bottom line: Thursday morning (23rd) is a solid, clean start. Monday morning (27th) is the best of the first week for the big wave crew. Wednesday afternoon (29th) is the low-key pick for some clean little waves. If you're experienced, Friday afternoon (31st July) and Sunday morning (2nd August) are worth a look, but those are a week and a half out, so don't book your flights just yet.

Stay safe, keep your eyes on the horizon, and I'll catch you in the water.

Rusty.

Read more