Mangamaunu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into the surf outlook for what we’ve got on the table. The whole forecast period is built around one spot, and one spot only: Mangamaunu. This is a classic, exposed point break that demands respect, and it’s about to serve up a real mixed bag over the next couple of weeks.

Overall Pattern

We kick off with a bit of a slow start, but there’s a big pulse of energy rolling in about a week from now. The first few days are small and clean, but nothing to get too excited about. The real standout is going to be Monday, August 31st, and then again on Wednesday, September 2nd, when the swell gets solid and the conditions line up perfectly. After that, the energy drops off again, with a few more promising windows later in the second week.

The water temperature here is sitting at 51°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so don't expect a shocking change when you hop in.

Saturday, August 29th – Sunday, August 30th

The first couple of days are small. Saturday morning kicks off with a 3 ft southerly swell, a long 11-second period, and glassy conditions with a light offshore breeze. It’s clean, but the wave energy is weak (266). The afternoon gets a bit cross-on but still tiny. Sunday is even smaller, with a 2 ft SSW swell, but the wind goes glassy in the morning, then a solid offshore in the afternoon. It’s surfable, but honestly, it’s pretty ordinary.

Monday, August 31st – The First Standout

This is where it gets real. Monday morning swings in with a 7 ft southerly swell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions. The combined energy jumps to 1266, which is a solid, moderate kick. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – it’s big enough to have some punch, but not so huge it’s unmanageable. The wind is perfectly glassy, and the break is going to be clean. The afternoon stays clean with a 6 ft swell and cross-off wind. This is the best session of the first week, no question.

Tuesday, September 1st – Big and Bumpy

Tuesday gets much bigger, with a 12 ft SSW swell in the morning and a 8 ft southerly in the afternoon. The energy is strong (4499), but the wind is a brisk cross-off, and the conditions are marginal. This is expert-only territory at that size.

Wednesday, September 2nd – Another Standout

Wednesday morning is a beauty. Another 7 ft southerly swell, 12-second period, and glassy conditions. The energy is strong (1653), and the waves will be powerful and well-shaped. This is another excellent window for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a bit cross-on, but the swell is a 8 ft southerly with a very long 16-second period, which is a proper groundswell. This long period will make it break a bit straight at this point, but it’s still a clean, powerful wave.

Thursday, September 3rd – Friday, September 5th

We drop back down. Thursday is a nice, clean 4 ft swell with cross-off wind in the morning, going glassy in the afternoon. Good, mellow surf. Friday is small and weak, with a 2 ft swell in the morning and a messy 6 ft short-period swell in the afternoon. Not great.

Saturday, September 5th – Sunday, September 6th

Saturday morning is a surprise: a 3 ft southerly swell with a very long 15-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is moderate (613), and the forecast says it’s very good. That long period will make it a bit tricky at the point, but it’s clean. Sunday is tiny and not worth the paddle.

Second Week Overview (September 7th – 13th)

Things get quieter and more inconsistent. Monday, September 7th has a 6 ft swell with glassy morning conditions – that’s a decent look. Then there’s a gap of poor surf and strong wind from Tuesday to Wednesday. Thursday, September 10th is worth a mention: a 2 ft swell with a very long 16-second period and glassy conditions, but it’s weak. The final standout is Saturday, September 12th: a 8 ft SSW swell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions. The energy is strong (2460), and it’ll be excellent for experienced surfers again. The conditions on that day are a real highlight, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.

Sunday, September 13th looks messy with cross-shore wind and rain.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Monday, August 31st, and Wednesday, September 2nd, with Saturday, September 12th as a promising long-range prospect. It’s a spot that’s typically very consistent, so even when it goes quiet, it won’t stay that way for long.

Rusty.

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