Kahutara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

The forecast period kicks off with a bit of a slow start, but we’ve got some real standouts building, especially towards the end of the first week and into the second. The water temp is sitting at 52°F, which is about 1°F warmer than the long-term average for this time of year, so nothing too unusual there, just your typical chilly spring water.

We’re looking at Sunday the 6th of September to get things going. It’s not going to blow you away, but there’s a small, clean swell on offer. A 2ft S swell with a very long 17-second period is pushing in, and with glassy conditions from a light ESE breeze, it’s going to be super clean. The combined wave energy is moderate at 207. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, so if you’re just starting out or want a gentle paddle, this is a nice, mellow intro.

Monday the 7th gets a little tricky. The morning sees a 4ft SE swell, but the period drops right off to a short 6 seconds, and it’s a cross-on wind. It’s a bit of a messy one, not really worth getting excited about.

We get a brief window on Tuesday the 8th morning. The wind goes dead calm and glassy, with a small 2ft S groundswell at 9 seconds. The energy is weak at 104, so it’s small and clean but very ordinary.

Wednesday the 9th has a bit more size, with 4ft to 4ft E/ESE swells, but the period is still short and the wind is cross or cross-on. It’s just not coming together.

Thursday the 10th is a write-off. Tiny 1ft SSW swells with a cross-on breeze. Don't bother.

Friday the 11th is a bit of a tease. The morning shows a 2ft S swell with a gorgeous 18-second period, but the wind is a light cross-shore, so it’s not perfect. The afternoon gets cleaner with a cross-off wind, but the swell is still only 2ft.

Alright, now we’re talking. Saturday the 12th is the first real standout. The morning glass-off is on with a solid 8ft S groundswell at 15 seconds. The combined wave energy is a very strong 2942. That’s a powerful, clean swell with a gentle offshore WNW breeze. This is going to be a ripper of a session for experienced surfers only. That size is into expert territory, so if you’ve got the skills and a big-wave board, get in the water. The crowds here are listed as 'sometimes', so you might have a few others with the same idea, but for that quality, it’s worth it. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-off wind, so get on it early.

Sunday the 13th is a big one, but it’s a cautionary tale. The morning shows a massive 16ft SSW swell at 13 seconds. The energy is off the charts at 15873. That is way, way too big for Kahutara. It’s a reef and point break, but this is dangerous for anyone. The afternoon drops to 15ft, but the wind is a lumpy cross-shore. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Steer clear.

Monday the 14th is still huge, with 10ft S swell, but the cross-on wind and size make it a no-go.

Tuesday the 15th brings a drop in size and a return to quality. We’ve got a 6ft SSE groundswell at 12 seconds in the morning, with glassy conditions from a light NW breeze. The energy is moderate at 805. The afternoon holds up with a 5ft SSE swell and a clean cross-off wind. This is another great session for those who missed Saturday or want a slightly more manageable size. It’s good for intermediate to advanced surfers.

After that, things start to fade. The rest of the week is a mix of smaller, cleaner swells but with increasing wind. The 19th of September (Saturday) looks promising for a morning glass-off, with a 3ft S swell at 17 seconds and dead calm winds. The energy is moderate at 669. It’s a nice little finisher, but don’t expect the power of the earlier standouts.

Overall, the two true standouts are Saturday the 12th of September for the big, powerful, and clean morning session, and Tuesday the 15th of September for a still-good but more accessible day. The long-range stuff around the 19th is promising but less certain.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

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