Mawi Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid 16-day window with some serious southern hemi groundswell on the cards. The only spot on the radar is Mawi, a reef set-up that loves a good SW swell. The water temp is sitting at 80°F, which is bang on average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

The action kicks off on Friday, 31 July, but it’s a bit of a slow starter. We’re looking at 5ft of SSW swell with a very long 17-second period. The energy is already pumping, sitting at a strong 1665 (combined energy of all swells directed here). The wind is a cross-off from the SE at 12 mph, which will keep the surface clean. It’s a solid wave, but the forecast is a bit marginal for the first day. By Saturday, 1 August, things clean right up. The swell pushes to 5ft, period still long at 16 seconds, and the wind drops to a gentle 9 mph cross-off. The energy jumps to 1447, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a genuine standout for the first week.

Sunday, 2 August, is the real humdinger of the early run. The swell hits 7ft from the SSW, period at 16 seconds, and the energy is strong at 2259. With that same clean, gentle cross-off breeze, the morning session is the pick. This is big enough to be too much for beginners – you’ll want your wetsuit and your A-game. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so expect a few locals out, but it’s not a zoo.

The swell backs off a touch for Monday and Tuesday, still holding around 5ft to 6ft with that lovely long period and clean conditions. The wind stays in the SE, keeping it cross-off and glassy. Then, from Wednesday, 5 August, the wind picks up to a fresh 19 mph, and the swell starts building again. This is where the wave energy gets serious, hitting 1702 on Wednesday and exploding to 3222 on Thursday, 6 August, with 8ft swell. The wind is still cross-off, but that fresh breeze will put a bit of a texture on the surface. Still, it’s a powerful, clean wave.

The second week is where the real muscle shows up. From Friday, 7 August, through to Monday, 10 August, we’ve got a solid 8ft to 8ft of SSW groundswell, with periods of 16 seconds. The energy is massive, consistently over 3000. The wind stays cross-off, which is a gift. By Tuesday, 11 August, the swell is forecast to jack up to 12ft with an 18-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy reading is a massive 7805, which is borderline ridiculous. This is expert territory only. For a reef break like Mawi, that long period will produce some thick, proper walls, but it’s going to be a heavy, powerful paddle.

Wednesday and Thursday, 13 and 14 August, are the true standouts of the entire run. On Thursday morning, 13 August, we’re looking at 12ft of SSW swell with a 17-second period. The wind is a gentle 9 mph cross-off. That’s exceptional. Then on Friday, 14 August, the morning session is described as “exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers.” The swell is 12ft, period 16 seconds, with a gentle cross-off breeze. The energy is 5640. This is the best on offer. It’s a proper, heavy, world-class reef wave. The forecast confidence is lower this far out, but it’s a hell of a prospect.

The final weekend, Saturday, 15 August, sees the swell drop to 7ft and the wind shifts to a cross-shore, which will put a slight chop on the surface. Still a good wave, but the magic is gone. Overall, the first three days are a great warm-up, but the second week, especially the 13th and 14th of August, is what you’re waiting for.

Rusty.

Read more