Haumoana River Mouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at a pretty slow start, but there’s a solid run of cleaner surf coming through the second week, especially if you’re willing to wait it out. The early days are a bit of a mixed bag – wind and swell direction aren’t always lining up for us, but there are a few windows where it all comes together.

Haumoana River Mouth is our main focus here. This spot is a river bar setup, so it’s got that unpredictable nature, but it really fires when the conditions are right. It’s exposed to the NE, which is key because the optimum swell is from the NE. The water temp is sitting at 54°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – about 3° cooler, so you’ll want a decent suit.

The first proper window looks like Thursday morning, July 30th. We’ve got a 3 ft swell from the E, with a 12-second period, and a light WNW breeze that’s cross-offshore. The combined energy is moderate at 284. It’s not huge, but it’ll be clean and has that long-period energy that a river bar loves. This is a solid, quiet option for a morning session.

Then we hit a bit of a flat spell. Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August are pretty ordinary – small, weak, or just messy. There’s a tiny pulse on Saturday morning with a 1.0 ft, 16-second swell from the SE, but the energy is a measly 57 – not worth paddling out for.

The next real standout is Sunday morning, August 2nd. Swell is 3 ft from the SE, 11-second period, with a clean offshore SW breeze at 12 mph. The combined energy jumps to 264, which is moderate but feels solid for the size. It’s a clean, fun-sized morning with good shape.

We skip ahead to Wednesday morning, August 5th. Another good one: 3 ft from the SE, 12-second period, light offshore SW wind at 6 mph. Combined energy is 292. This is a repeat of that clean, lined-up river bar wave. It’s consistent and tidy.

Now, the real highlight of the whole forecast is Friday morning, August 7th. This is a beauty. We’ve got a 4 ft SE swell, 14-second period, light offshore SW wind, and the combined energy is a strong 573. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions” – and I’d agree. That’s a proper groundswell pulse with clean, offshore wind. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so it might get a few locals, but it’s far from hectic. For a river bar, that long period should wrap in nicely.

After that, things get messy. Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th blow out with onshore winds and choppy conditions. The swell bumps up to 6 ft from the ESE on the 8th, but with a short 7-second period and cross-shore wind, it’s just a washing machine. This setup is more for kitesurfing than paddling.

The final standout is Wednesday morning, August 12th. A 3 ft E swell, 12-second period, clean offshore WSW wind at 6 mph. Combined energy is 294. It’s a familiar, clean pattern that works well here.

Then we get the biggest swell of the period on Thursday, August 13th. Thursday morning shows 5 ft from the E, 13-second period, with light offshore SW wind. The energy is massive at 906 – that’s strong. This is a big, powerful groundswell. For a river bar, that’s expert territory, especially if it’s over 5 ft. Thursday afternoon goes glassy with a 5 ft E swell, 13-second period, and zero wind. The energy is still 774. That afternoon session could be absolutely epic, but it’s only for those who know what they’re doing. The crowds are possible, but on a Thursday it might be quiet.

So, to wrap it up: the best of the best are Friday morning, August 7th for that clean, solid groundswell, and Thursday afternoon, August 13th for the biggest, glassy conditions – but that one’s for experts only.

Rusty.

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