Kahutara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a proper look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a solid run of south swell on the cards, and if you know where to look, there’s some absolute gems in the mix. The standout is going to be Kahutara, a reef and point setup that loves a good south groundswell, and it’s pretty consistent with a WNW offshore direction. The water temperature is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing to brace for there.

The action kicks off on Saturday the 18th of July. The morning session is looking prime – clean, with a light offshore wind from the WNW blowing at 3 mph. You’ve got a 5ft south swell, with a very long period of 23 seconds, and the combined wave energy is pumping at 3552 (very strong). That’s proper groundswell, and at a point and reef break, it’s going to unload with some real shape. The afternoon gets even better: glassy conditions, 6ft south swell, 20-second period, energy at 3200. This is the best on offer – it’s big enough to be for experienced surfers only, over 5ft, but with that wind and direction, it’ll be a dream.

Sunday the 19th starts clean again with a 5ft swell from the south, 16-second period, and a cross-off wind from the WSW at 6 mph. Combined energy is 1440 (strong). The afternoon gets a bit bumpy with a cross-on wind, so the morning is the pick. By Monday the 20th, we’re back in business: glassy morning with 5ft south swell, 14-second period, 2019 energy (strong), and the afternoon goes ballistic – 7ft south swell, 18-second period, glassy, with a massive 3132 energy. That afternoon session is another absolute standout, but again, with swell over 7ft, it’s strictly for the experienced crew.

Tuesday the 21st holds strong with a clean morning, 5ft south swell, 14-second period, and 1029 energy (moderate). The afternoon gets glassy with 5ft swell, 13-second period, and 719 energy (moderate to strong). Wednesday the 22nd sees the swell drop to 3ft in the morning, 10-second period, 204 energy (weak), and the afternoon is tiny and poor. Thursday the 23rd is flat and ordinary, with 1ft swell – not worth paddling out.

Friday the 24th brings a new pulse: 7ft swell from the south in the morning, but the period is short at 7 seconds, with 437 energy (moderate). The afternoon kicks up to 8ft from the SSW, 8-second period, 1184 energy (strong), but with 16 mph cross-off wind, it’s messy and marginal. The short period means it’ll be choppy.

After that, there’s a gap of poor conditions from Saturday the 25th through Sunday the 26th – strong winds, rain, and jumbled up swell. Not worth it. Monday the 27th has a clean 6ft south swell, 14-second period, 1572 energy (strong), but the wind is 9 mph cross-off, so it’s still a bit rough. Tuesday the 28th is small and glassy in the morning, 3ft, 10-second period, 284 energy (weak). Wednesday the 29th picks up a bit with 3ft from the SE, 12-second period, glassy in the afternoon, 376 energy (weak to moderate).

Now, into the second week, things get more promising but less certain. Thursday the 30th of July is looking good: 4ft south-east swell, 12-second period, clean with a cross-off wind, 701 energy (moderate). That’s a solid option. Friday the 31st is a bit cross-onshore, but still surfable with 4ft SE swell, 13-second period. Saturday the 1st of August is poor in the morning, but the afternoon brings a 6ft SSW swell, 8-second period, 574 energy (moderate), though it’s cross-shore and messy. Sunday the 2nd of August wraps it up with a clean 5ft south swell, 11-second period, 660 energy (moderate) – a decent finish.

Overall, the true standouts are the Saturday 18th July afternoon and the Monday 20th July afternoon at Kahutara. Both are glassy, with strong, long-period south swell and massive energy. If you’re experienced and can handle the size, don’t miss those windows. The spot is fairly consistent, and crowds are possible on the better days, so get in early.

Rusty.

Read more