Anawhata Road (Oaonui) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at Anawhata Road (Oaonui) as the only game in town, and to be honest, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The water temp is sitting at 58°F, which is pretty much spot on average for this time of year, so no nasty surprises there. We kick off with a rough start, but there’s a real standout window if you can wait for it.

The first few days are a write-off. Wednesday the 5th is a no-go – we’ve got a solid 5ft swell from the WSW with a 13-second period, but that cross-shore wind at 16 mph is making a mess of things. The energy is moderate at best (1079). Thursday the 6th morning is a tease; the swell drops to 3ft from the WSW, but the wind goes light offshore from the NE, making it clean. It’s small though, only 3ft. Friday and Saturday the 7th and 8th are poor with onshore breezes, even if Saturday sees a bump in size to 6ft–6ft from the WNW, the period drops to a short 8 seconds and the wind is fresh from the north. Not worth it.

Now, Sunday the 9th gets a bit wild. A big 10ft swell from the NW hits in the morning, with a combined energy of 2227 – that’s strong. But it’s coming with a cross-onshore wind from the WNW at 12 mph, making it choppy. That’s expert territory at that size, and the conditions won’t do it justice. Afternoon drops to 8ft, but still messy.

The real standout is Tuesday the 11th. Early morning, we get a clean 4ft swell from the WSW with a nice 13-second period. The wind is light offshore from the ENE, barely a breath at 3 mph. That’s glassy conditions, and the combined energy is a solid 627. This is the pick of the forecast – clean lines, good shape, and uncrowded for a Tuesday. If you can only paddle out once, make it Tuesday morning.

Wednesday the 12th afternoon sees a jump to 8ft from the W with a 15-second period and a cross-offshore wind. That’s a lot of water moving, and the energy hits 2574, so it’s powerful. But that’s getting into expert-only territory at that size, especially at a reef break. The morning of the 12th is smaller and cleaner at 4ft.

After that, things get messy again from the 13th through the 19th. We see consistent swell but with strong onshore winds, rain, and lumpy conditions. The 15th of August brings a massive 10ft swell from the WSW with a 16-second period and an energy reading of 6038 – that’s very strong. But it’s cross-shore with a chop, and by afternoon it’s a gale. Kite surfers might be eyeing that one, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no.

The tail end of the forecast, Thursday the 20th, shows some promise again. A 6ft swell from the WSW with a long 17-second period, light cross-shore breeze from the WNW. The energy is solid at 1834. It’s a decent option if you’re still hanging out for a wave, but the 11th is still your best bet.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is mostly a bust. Don’t bother before Tuesday the 11th. That Tuesday morning is the one to circle on the calendar – small but clean and glassy. The second week has some big, powerful swells, but the wind just won’t play ball most of the time. Stay patient.

Rusty.

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