Kahutara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s the outlook for Kahutara.

First up, note that the water temp is sitting at 51°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – nothing out of the ordinary there.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start with no real standouts on the first few days. Wednesday the 29th has some clean knee-to-waist high waves (5ft) out of the east with a 13-second period, and the wind is light offshore from the WNW in the morning, going glassy in the arvo. It’s a nice little intro to the swell window, but nothing to write home about. The combined energy is moderate (855). Thursday the 30th drops a bit to 4ft and 3ft, still clean but fading. Then Friday the 31st gets small and messy with 20-30 km/h winds – not worth paddling out.

Now, Saturday the 1st of August gets interesting – a big jump to 12ft southerly swell, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h cross-off, and the combined energy jumps to 3206. It’s clean, but that’s a solid size for a reef and point break, and the tide might be a factor. This one’s more for experienced surfers.

Sunday the 2nd of August drops to 7ft from the SSE, still clean with moderate cross-off winds. The energy is still strong (1194). Not a standout, but a solid session for those who know the spot.

The best stretch kicks off on Monday the 3rd of August. The morning serves up 7ft S swell at 12 seconds, with a light offshore from the WNW and clean conditions. The energy is 1300 – moderate to strong. This is excellent for experienced surfers.

But the real standout is Tuesday the 4th of August. Morning sees 16ft south swell at 13 seconds, with light offshore WNW winds and a combined energy of 14120 – that’s very strong. Conditions are exceptional for expert surfers. This is the one to mark on the calendar if you’re an experienced charger. The afternoon is still huge at 15ft, but a light cross-shore breeze kicks in.

Wednesday the 5th of August is also a standout: 13ft from the SSE with a very long 16-second period, light cross-off winds, and energy of 9544. The long period will make these waves peel beautifully on the reef and point, but it’ll be a bit straight for the beachy sections – still, this is a premium day for the point.

Thursday the 6th holds at 12ft from the SSE, still clean in the morning, but the wind turns cross-on in the arvo. It’s a good day for those who get out early.

The second week has plenty of action, but less certainty. Friday the 7th through Sunday the 9th of August stays in the 7ft to 15ft range, with clean conditions and cross-off winds. The 9th has a big spike to 15ft from the ESE with 10094 energy – that’s a strong, clean afternoon that could be excellent for experienced surfers.

Monday the 10th has 13ft from the ESE, clean in the morning, then a gentle cross-shore in the arvo. Good but not groundbreaking.

Then Tuesday the 11th of August is another standout: 18ft from the east at 14 seconds, with light offshore WNW winds and energy of 11169. This is an exceptional, expert-only day. The afternoon drops to 15ft but with onshore wind – still big but less clean.

The rest of the window through to Thursday the 13th of August holds 10ft to 13ft from the east, with light winds and clean mornings. The 12th has a 13ft swell with a 15-second period – very long period, so expect longer lulls but powerful, well-shaped waves on the point.

Overall, the best is the 4th and 5th of August, and the 11th of August – all big, clean, and for experts only. Crowds are possible at Kahutara, especially on these standout days, so get in early.

Rusty.

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