Makorori Centre Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The main spot this fortnight is Makorori Centre, a beach and reef setup that handles an exposed SE swell. The water temp is sitting at 14°, pretty much bang on average for this time of year.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start to be honest. The first decent chance rolls in Thursday morning the 16th – small clean 0.6m waves from the ESE with a 15-second period, but a moderate offshore is blowing at 20 km/h. The energy is moderate (182), but it’s not exactly firing. It gets better Thursday arvo as the wind drops to a gentle 15 km/h cross-off, with the swell bumping to 0.7m and a very long 18-second period, energy jumping to 366. Glassy clean conditions – a good sign for a sneaky session.

Friday morning the 17th is where it starts to get real. A solid 1.4m ESE groundswell with a 16-second period and a light 10 km/h offshore from the NW. The energy is strong (1056), and the forecast is for excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is the standout of the first week – clean, powerful, long-period lines. Friday arvo gets a bit messy with a light cross-on, so go early.

Saturday the 18th keeps the goods rolling. Clear skies, 1.3m ESE swell, 14-second period. The morning is clean with a gentle 15 km/h offshore; the afternoon goes glassy with no wind at all – 5 km/h from the NNE – making for pristine, smooth waves. Energy is strong (1151 in the arvo). Another top contender.

Sunday the 19th has a solid 1.4m SSE groundswell with a very long 18-second period for the morning, clean with a 10 km/h cross-off. Energy is very strong at 1541. It’s still expert territory, but the quality is there. The afternoon turns choppy with a cross-on, so get out early.

Monday the 20th drops a bit to 0.9m SSE swell, but the conditions are lovely – morning offshore and glassy in the afternoon. Moderate energy (725). Clean lines, not big, but fun.

Tuesday the 21st is a write-off with rain showers and strong cross-shore winds up to 25 km/h. Choppy and poor. Wednesday the 22nd is clean in the morning with a light offshore and 1.1m SSE swell, but the period drops to 14 seconds. Decent, not a standout.

From Thursday the 23rd through to the end of July, it fades significantly. Tiny swell, weak energy (below 200 most days), and only occasional clean windows. The 26th of July sees a bump of 1.6m from the S with a short 7-second period and moderate 20 km/h cross-off wind – but the quality is marginal. Sunday the 27th has a 1.0m SSE swell, but again the conditions are average. The last few days of July and into the 31st show some signs of life: a 1.0m ESE swell on the morning of the 31st with a clean 10 km/h offshore, energy moderate (533). It’s a decent way to close out the run, but nothing like that Friday the 17th or Saturday the 18th.

So the standout: Friday morning the 17th of July. That 1.4m ESE swell with a 16-second period and light offshore wind is the pick of the entire outlook. A close second is Saturday the 18th afternoon when it goes completely glassy on a still solid 1.3m swell. Both are for experienced surfers only.

Crowds are possible at Makorori Centre. It’s a known spot. Get in early.

Rusty.

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