Laniakea Reef and Holtons Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the menu for the North Shore over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, the first half of this outlook is a tough one. We’re looking at a real flat spell. From the start of the period through to about the middle of the month, Laniakea Reef and Holtons is barely kicking. The swell is tiny, mostly 0.7 ft to 1 ft, with a weak combined energy (often under 100). The wind is a steady cross-off from the east, which keeps the surface clean, but there’s just no power to push anything rideable. You’d be waiting a long time for a knee-high dribbler. That’s a solid 13-day stretch of near nothing.

Then, around the 19th of August, things start to change. On Wednesday morning, we see a little bump with a 5 ft swell from the NE, but the period is a short 8 seconds and the energy is moderate (407). The report says it’s marginal, and with that short period, it’s going to be a bit weak and disorganized. The wind is still clean from the ENE, so it’s not a total write-off, but don’t expect magic.

The real standout in this whole run is Thursday, August 20th. This is the day to circle on the calendar. The swell builds to 4 ft - 5 ft from the NE, with a combined energy of 372 to 449, which is solid moderate energy. The wind is light and offshore from the ENE, a gentle breeze at 15 km/h, so the surface will be clean and glassy. The period is still around 8 seconds, so it’s not a long-period groundswell, but the size and the clean wind make it by far the best window we’ve got. This is your best bet for a proper session.

By Friday the 21st, the wind swings cross-on from the NNE and we’ve got a risk of thunderstorms, so the quality drops off again.

So to sum it up: a long, flat run, then a promising day on the 20th. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. If you’re itching for a paddle, save your energy for that Thursday.

Rusty.

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