Arawhata Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s cut to it—this run is a real mixed bag, and you gotta be picky. Right now, from September 16, there’s swell coming but the wind’s gonna mess with you a lot of the time. The first proper window to paddle out is Monday morning, September 21, when that solid 4.0m WSW groundswell with a 17-second period is running, even if the cross-onshore wind is making it a bit choppy. It’s not glassy, but it’s got power—that’s your best bet for size early on.

Before that, Thursday the 17th has 2.0m WSW with a 14-second period, but that 35 km/h cross-off wind will keep it bumpy. Friday the 18th jumps to 3.0m but gets chopped by the SSE cross-shore, and the afternoon is blown out onshore. Saturday the 19th is a tease—1.9m in the morning with light wind, then it turns to a 3.0m mess by afternoon. Sunday the 20th is a total washout: 5.5m to 6.0m onshore SW, near gale winds—that’s not for surfing, that’s for staying home.

So, big-wave hunters, Monday morning the 21st is your window at Arawhata (Reef). The swell is 4.0m from the WSW with a 17-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 8590. The cross-onshore wind is a nuisance, but the reef can handle it. That long period means heavy, deep waves—only for experienced surfers. The afternoon drops to 3.5m and gets lumpy, so don’t bother.

Tuesday the 22nd is poor—2.4m but onshore and rainy. Wednesday the 23rd afternoon has a 2.1m WSW swell with a 17-second period and a moderate cross-shore SSE wind—might be a few sneaky ones, but it’s marginal. Thursday the 24th is just chop.

Now, the real gem is Monday morning, September 28. The wind goes glassy, calm, and there’s a 2.3m WSW swell with a 10-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 1266, but the conditions are clean and glassy—the wave comment says excellent surf for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the whole 16 days. The reef will be holding that WSW swell perfectly, and with no wind, it’s gonna be a proper session. Water temp sits around 14°, pretty average for this time of year.

After that, it fades fast. Tuesday the 29th brings 40 km/h winds and rain, swell drops to 0.9m. Wednesday the 30th is sloppy and small. Thursday October 1st has a short-period NW windswell at 1.8m with a 6-second period—glassy in the morning but not the same quality, and it’s gone by afternoon.

So, if you want the biggest, most powerful surf, hit Monday the 21st, but expect it rough. For clean, quality waves, Monday morning the 28th is the standout—don’t sleep on it. Everything else is either too windy, too messy, or too weak. Pick your days, and you’ll get some good ones.

Rusty out.

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