Karekare Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looking at what’s on the cards for Karekare over the next couple of weeks, there’s a bit of a mixed bag, but a few windows of clean surf are worth getting excited about. The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is about average for this time of year.

Right off the bat, Wednesday afternoon the 29th of July is looking sweet. Swell is 4ft from the WSW with a period of 11 seconds, and the wind is glassy—N at 3 mph. That’s clean, inviting surf. Wave energy is moderate (560), so not too much grunt, but it’ll be fun and cruisy for an intermediate session.

Thursday morning the 30th of July picks up with a bit more size, 7ft from the WSW and a longer period of 14 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. Wind is cross-off from the NNE at 9 mph, so it’ll be clean. Wave energy is strong (1521). Good option for the more experienced, but with that longer period (over 11 seconds), the sets will have longer gaps, so paddling out won’t be as hectic. Thursday afternoon though, the wind swings NW and picks up, turning choppy—avoid that.

Friday the 31st of July is a washout—west winds up to 22 mph and rain, with messy, blown-out swell. Skip it.

Saturday the 1st of August sees a massive 16ft swell from the WSW, period 14 seconds, and wave energy is through the roof (9311). That’s too big for this break—only for absolute experts, and even then, it’s pushing it. Wind is light from the WSW, so clean, but the size is the enemy. Not a day for the average surfer.

Sunday the 2nd of August is the standout. Morning has 8ft from the SW at 12 seconds, with a light SSE cross-off breeze at 6 mph. Clean, good energy (1563), and it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the pick of the first week. Later in the day, wind swings S and gets stronger, so go early.

Monday the 3rd of August onwards gets messy again—cross-onshore winds from the SW, lumpy conditions, and poor quality through until the 4th.

Wednesday the 5th of August morning is a gem. Glassy calm winds from the S at 0 mph, with a 7ft SW swell at 14 seconds. That’s clean, long-period, excellent for experienced surfers. Wave energy is solid (1712). Get in the water early.

The following week from the 7th of August onward sees more promising windows. Friday afternoon the 7th of August has offshore winds from the E at 6 mph with a 6ft WSW swell at 12 seconds—clean and good energy (1028). Another one to circle. The 8th and 9th of August also have clean cross-off winds from the SE, though the swell drops off (2ft to 6ft), so it’ll be smaller but still surfable.

By the 11th of August, Tuesday morning, offshore winds from the ESE at 6 mph, with 5ft from the WSW at 14 seconds—clean, good moderate energy (983). Nice.

The 13th of August Thursday brings another big pulse—10ft from the WNW and W, but wave energy is very high (2444 to 2935), and it’s likely too big for Karekare again. Only for the brave.

Overall, the best sessions are Wednesday afternoon the 29th of July, Sunday morning the 2nd of August, and Friday afternoon the 7th of August. Crowds at Karekare are sometimes a thing, but on these cleaner days, expect a few locals out. Be mindful that long-period swells (over 15 seconds) tend to make beach breaks like this close out, but the direction and wind should keep it lined up well enough.

Rusty.

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