Karekare Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it for Karekare.

We've got a bit of a mixed bag coming our way over the next couple of weeks. There's a slow start, then some real promise, before things get a bit rowdy and messy. The standout window is definitely that Wednesday and Thursday slap in the middle of the first week.

The first real action kicks off on Sunday, the 2nd of August. The morning is looking the cleanest with a 6.6ft SW swell running at 12 seconds and a gentle cross-offshore breeze from the SSE. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so a decent 4/3mm steamer will do you fine. The combined energy is strong (1136), so there's plenty of grunt in the water, but it's not too wild. The afternoon gets a bit cross-choppy, so hit the dawny.

Monday and Tuesday, the 3rd and 4th, are a write-off. Unsurfable. The wind cranks up from the WSW, smashing the swell apart. A 18.6 mph breeze and 5.9ft of lumpy chop? No thanks. Those days are for fixing dings or watching the footy.

Now, here's the good stuff. Wednesday morning, the 5th of August. This is it. The wind swings to a light SSE cross-offshore, grooming a solid 7.5ft SW swell at 14 seconds. The combined energy is pumping at 2171. This is excellent, powerful surf. It's a bit too big for beginners, but for experienced surfers, this is a firing session. Expect some proper walls.

Thursday morning, the 6th of August, is a different kind of magic. The swell drops to 4.3ft from the WSW, but the wind goes completely glassy from the NNE. Absolutely dead calm. The combined energy is moderate (560), but with that clean, 12-second groundswell, the waves will be lined up perfectly. A real treat for logging or a mid-length.

The second week from the 7th onwards is a story of clean, smaller waves and persistent offshore winds. From Friday the 7th right through to Wednesday the 12th, the wind is almost constantly offshore from the E or ESE. The swell hangs around the 2.0ft to 4.3ft mark, with periods mostly in the 13-16 second range. It's clean, it's consistent, but it's small. Good for a longboard or a fish, but not blowing the doors off. The combined energy stays in the moderate range, mostly between 312 and 805.

The standouts in that second week are Saturday the 8th and Monday the 10th. Saturday morning has a clean 5.6ft WNW swell, and Monday has a solid 4.3ft WSW swell, both with perfect offshore winds.

Things take a turn late in the period. The morning of Saturday the 15th of August looks magical – glassy, with a 5.9ft NW swell that has serious energy (1130). But then the wind absolutely howls from the SW in the afternoon, ruining it. Then Sunday the 16th brings a massive 6.9ft WSW swell with a very long 18-second period, but the cross-shore winds will make it a beast to manage. The energy is huge (4221), but it's a messy, challenging beast for experts only. The 17th of August is a 9.8ft onshore mess. Not worth it.

Bottom line: Wednesday morning the 5th is the absolute pick of the fortnight. Big, clean, powerful SW groundswell with a light offshore. If you're an experienced surfer, don't miss it. Thursday morning the 6th is your second-best bet for a glassy, user-friendly session.

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