Mount Maunganui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up over the next couple of weeks for Mount Maunganui.

Right from the start, it’s pretty flat out there. We’re looking at a long stretch of tiny surf – nothing at all worth paddling out for in the first week and a half. From Thursday the 16th of July right through to Tuesday the 28th of July, the swell barely nudges above 0.7ft, and often it’s just 0.3ft. The combined swell energy is laughable – mostly single digit figures down to 2 or 3, so don’t even bother checking the tide. A few days have a glassy surface, like Monday the 20th morning and Thursday the 23rd afternoon, but with next to no waves, it’s just a pretty lake. Water temperature is about average for the time of year here at The Mount.

The first sign of something happening comes late in the piece. On Tuesday the 28th of July afternoon, the swell pushes up to 2ft from the east with a short 7-second period. The combined energy jumps to 34, but the wind is cross-offshore out of the southeast at 16 mph – so it’ll be clean, but still tiny. Wednesday the 29th is similar, 1.0ft from the east-northeast, periods still short at 7 seconds, and a moderate breeze keeping it clean. Not really a standout, just the best of a bad bunch.

Then Thursday the 30th of July shapes up as the actual highlight. Morning brings 1ft from the northeast with a longer period of 10 seconds – that’s more like a real groundswell. Combined swell energy hits 40, but it’s a step up. And in the afternoon, it gets even better: glassy conditions with east-southeast airs, 1ft from east-northeast and a 9-second period, energy reading 49. The offshore direction from the south-southwest on Friday the 31st morning also puts a little juice into 1.0ft from east-northeast, period 10 seconds, energy 44. For a break that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the north-northeast, this is the only real window worth a look. Keep in mind, with the optimum swell direction being north-northeast, these east-northeast swells are a touch angle-y, but the clean winds make it work.

Because the swell stays below 2ft throughout, it’s beginner-friendly the whole time – if you can call it surf. Crowds at Mount Maunganui can happen sometimes, but with this kind of small stuff, you’ll have plenty of room. For the first 12 days, it’s a flat spell you can sleep through. The best on offer is Thursday the 30th of July afternoon – glassy, clean, and the biggest energy of the run. It’s not pumping, but it’s the pick. The long-range stuff for the 31st is promising but less certain.

Rusty.

Read more