Makorori Centre Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Howdy, Rusty here. We’ve got a mixed bag on our hands for the next couple of weeks at Makorori Centre (beach and reef). The opening stretch is pretty lacklustre, but there’s a proper standout lurking in the second week that’ll get the blood pumping for the advanced crew. Water temps are sitting at 56°F, which is a touch colder than usual for this time of year – nothing wild, but you’ll feel it.

The first few days are a grind. Tuesday morning (15th September) kicks off with a small 3 ft SSE swell at 11 seconds, with light cross-off N winds giving it a clean look. The combined energy is moderate at 252, but it’s not enough to get excited about. By Tuesday arvo, the wind swings NE and picks up, turning it into a messy cross-shore chop – a write-off. Wednesday (16th) stays tiny, with 3 ft SE swell and NW offshore winds in the morning, but it’s only surfable, nothing special. Thursday (17th) and Friday (18th) are more of the same: small ESE swells in the 2 ft to 3 ft range, with periods stretching to 12 seconds on Friday. That longer period suggests better-shaped waves, but the size just isn’t there – combined energy peaks at 286 Friday morning, still moderate. The arvo gets hammered by a strong S cross-on, so forget it.

Saturday (19th) morning stays small, but Saturday afternoon is a little gem: glassy conditions with a 3 ft ESE swell at 11 seconds, combined energy at 220, and moderate – it’s clean and rideable, but still on the small side for a standout. Sunday (20th) morning is similar at 2 ft, but the arvo turns ugly – a 7 ft SSE swell at a short 8 seconds gets smashed by a 22 mph S cross-on. That’s a lumpy, messy mess with combined energy jumping to 595. Monday (21st) is where it gets real. Monday morning delivers a solid 7 ft SSE groundswell at 12 seconds, with light NW offshore winds making it glassy and clean. Combined energy hits 1166 – that’s strong, proper heavy energy. This is the standout of the period. It’s a long-period groundswell, so expect long lines, better shape, and longer lulls between sets – ideal for this reef setup. But at 7 ft plus, it’s for experienced surfers only; beginners should sit this one out. The arvo brings ENE cross-shore wind and chops it up, so make the most of the morning.

After that, Tuesday (22nd) and Wednesday (23rd) drop right off. Wednesday is a total loss with strong SW winds and small, messy swells. Thursday (24th) morning sees another 7 ft pulse from the SSE, but it’s short-period (8 seconds) and hammered by a 19 mph cross-on, so it’s lumpy and poor – not worth paddling out. The rest of the week into the 30th is a desert: tiny swells, weak energy (down to 66 on the 30th), and persistent onshore or cross-onshore winds. A few brief glassy moments on the 29th morning with 2 ft, but it’s barely worth a mention. The overall pattern is a long gap of nothing after the Monday morning gem, so that 21st is your only real shot. Keep an eye on the forecast though – things can change.

Rusty.

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