Mawi Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got the goods on Mawi. We’re looking at a solid run of south-west groundswell kicking off this Saturday and running hard through the next couple of weeks. Water temp is 80°, right where it should be for this time of year—nothing unusual there.

It all starts Saturday morning, August 29, with a clean 7ft SW swell hitting with a period of 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, packing a decent punch with combined energy at 1745 (moderate wave energy). Winds are light SE cross-off, so Mawi will look clean and lined up. This is an advanced reef break, so not one for beginners—7ft with that long period means the sets have some real push. The wave energy is there, but a long period can make the wave face a bit straight on a reef. Still, this is the standout of the first week.

Sunday holds a smaller but fun 5ft SW swell (13-14 second period), winds stay nice and cross-off. Energy drops to around 1169 to 1061 (moderate wave energy), so it’ll be a bit more manageable. Crowds can happen here, but with consistent swell like this, you’ll be sharing the take-offs.

Monday, August 31, the swell bumps back up to 6ft, but wind picks up to 25 km/h. Still cross-off, so it’s clean, but getting a touch niggly. The period jumps to 18 seconds—very long period—and energy is cranking at 1997 (strong wave energy). That long period on a reef can make the wave wall up. Good for advanced crew, but watch the set intervals.

Tuesday brings the biggest early spike: 7 to 7ft SW swell, 18-second period, winds holding at 25 km/h from the ESE/SE. Energy explodes to 2817 (strong wave energy). That’s powerful, but over 7ft it’s expert-only territory. With that very long period, the wave might be a bit too straight for some.

Through the end of the first week, the swell eases to 4 to 5ft, winds ramping to 30 km/h on Thursday. That’s a fresh breeze—still cross-off but blustery. Energy drops to around 778 (weak wave energy) on the 4th—things go quiet.

Second week brings a refresh from September 5, with a 6ft SSW swell and 16-second period—energy back to 1780 (moderate wave energy). Winds are still SE cross-off. Promising, but a week out, so take it with cautious optimism.

The real highlight lands on Tuesday the 8th of September in the afternoon. Now we’re talking: 6ft SSW swell, but the period is a massive 19 seconds, and combined energy hits 4152 (very strong wave energy). That’s groundswell of the highest order. Winds are light 15 km/h SSE cross-off, so conditions will be glassy. This is Mawi at its best—powerful, walling waves. That Tuesday afternoon is the one to plan for.

Wednesday and Thursday the 9th and 10th stay solid with 7 to 7ft SSW swells, 16-second periods, energy in the 2000s (strong wave energy). Winds are moderate cross-off. Good, but not the magic of that Tuesday.

The final weekend, September 12 and 13, sees a steady 8ft SW swell, 16-17 second period, gentle 15-20 km/h SE winds. Energy is up around 3000 (very strong wave energy). That’s a clean, powerful, consistent swell train. If you’re an experienced surfer, these days are a no-brainer. The entire run from the 8th to the 13th is genuinely excellent, but that Tuesday afternoon is the standout.

Overall, Mawi is on. It’s an advanced reef, so don’t even think about it unless you’re confident. There’s no beginner-friendly window here. But for the crew who know their way around a reef, this is a dream run. No gaps—surf every day from August 29 through the entire 16-day window.

Rusty.

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