Karekare Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag for us here at Karekare. We’ve got some solid swell on the way, but the wind is going to be a factor for most of the run. It’s not going to be all-time, but there are a couple of windows where it’s going to turn on.

The first real standout is Friday afternoon, August 14th. That’s when we see a solid 7ft WSW groundswell with a long 16-second period. The wind is light and offshore from the SE, which is going to keep the faces clean. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about normal for this time of year. The combined energy is strong at 1948. This is the one to get if you can. It’s not huge, but it’s got that clean, lined-up look to it.

Saturday morning, August 15th, still has some size at 7ft, but the wind swings to the south and goes cross-shore. It’s not blown out, but it’s not the glass we had on Friday. The energy is even stronger at 2837, but the call is marginal. By Saturday afternoon, the wind picks up from the SSW at 16 mph and it gets chopped up. That’s a no-go.

Sunday, August 16th, the swell builds. We’re looking at 10-12ft of WSW/SW swell, but it’s onshore and lumpy. Unless you’re a glutton for punishment, it’s a skunk.

Monday morning, August 17th, is a big one. We’ve got a 13ft SW swell, but that’s just way too big for Karekare. The energy is massive at 6781, but this is only for the brave or the kamikaze. It’s a washing machine. The wind is fresh from the south, so it’s all over the place. It settles to 8ft in the afternoon, but the wind is still fresh and lumpy.

Tuesday and Wednesday, August 18th and 19th, the swell drops back into the 4ft to 7ft range, but the cross-shore wind just doesn’t let up. It’s lumpy and messy. There are waves, but they’re not going to be any fun.

Now, here’s the second standout. Thursday morning, August 20th. The wind goes light offshore from the ESE, and we’ve got a clean 7ft SW swell with a 14-second period. The energy is moderate at 1903, but the conditions are going to be clean. This is another one to keep an eye on.

Friday morning, August 21st, is looking super clean too. It’s glassy, with a light NNE breeze. We’ve got a smaller 6ft WSW swell, but it’s going to be as smooth as a lake. It’s not the biggest, but it could be fun if you’ve got a log.

After that, the surf just fades. Saturday the 22nd drops to 3-4ft, and Sunday the 23rd is tiny and onshore. We’re looking at a real lull from the 22nd through to the 25th.

There is a pulse of 7ft WNW swell on the 24th, but it’s onshore with fresh winds and the period drops to 10 seconds, so it’s junky. Not worth it.

Tuesday and Wednesday, the 25th and 26th, we get some WSW swell back, but the wind is still cross to cross-on, so it’s not going to be great.

The long-range crystal ball for the end of the month, around August 29th, is showing a big 12ft WNW swell. Again, that’s likely too big for this spot and the wind is cross-on. I wouldn’t be booking that day off just yet. That's the second week for you; it’s looking less promising, more of a "wait and see" kind of thing.

So, if you’re keen, your best bets are Friday the 14th and Thursday the 20th. The rest is a whole lot of "almost".

Rusty.

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