Haumoana River Mouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve got to be straight with you – this 16-day window for Haumoana River Mouth is a long, frustrating wait before anything decent shows up. There’s a real drought of surf for the first ten days, with nothing worth paddling out for. From Thursday the 10th of September right through to Saturday the 19th, it’s all tiny, weak dribble with poor conditions – wind mostly onshore or cross, tiny swells under 2 ft, and combined energy often in the low double digits or even single digits. There are a few glassy or clean moments, like Monday morning the 14th of September when it’s glassy with a 2 ft swell from SE at 10 seconds, but the wave comment says “very ordinary conditions” and the energy is only 50 – just a lazy little wave. Not worth rushing for.

Then from Sunday the 20th of September through Wednesday morning the 23rd, things start to get interesting – but only if you’re an expert. On Monday the 21st of September, the swell jumps to 8 ft from the SE at 11 seconds by morning, and by afternoon it’s 10 ft from the SE at 11 seconds, with combined energy roaring up to 2283. But the wind is a moderate cross-shore from the SSE at 12 mph, creating chop. The forecast says the swell is too big for this river bar break – that’s a setup only for the very bold. Tuesday the 22nd of September is even bigger: 12 ft from the ESE at 12 seconds in the morning (energy 3394) and 10 ft in the afternoon. Again, too big and the wind is cross-off from SSW at 12 mph, which is a bit better but still massive. For a river bar, that’s heavy, dangerous territory.

Now, the real standout – and honestly the only one I’d get excited about – is Wednesday the 23rd of September. The morning is as good as it gets: glassy wind, 7 ft swell from the ESE at 10 seconds, and combined energy of 853. That’s moderate-to-strong wave energy, and with clean conditions, this is the best on offer. The swell direction from the ESE is a near-perfect match for the break’s optimum NE direction, and the 10-second period means nice, solid waves without being too straight for a river bar. It’ll be punchy and clean, but at 7 ft it’s only for experienced surfers – beginners stay well clear. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so you might have company.

Thursday the 24th of September morning is still worth a look: 5 ft from ESE at 10 seconds, with a light cross-off wind from SSW at 3 mph, giving 463 energy – solid, clean, and more manageable for intermediate surfers. But by afternoon the wind swings onshore and it’s gone.

The water temperature is about 54°F, which is 2°F cooler than average for this time of year – that’s a notable chill, so suit up thick. After Wednesday the 23rd, the window closes fast, with the rest of the forecast dropping to tiny stuff again.

So, if you’re keen, circle Wednesday the 23rd of September morning and maybe Thursday the 24th morning – those are your moments. Everything before that is a skip.

Rusty.

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