Ohara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m gonna be straight with you – the next two weeks at Ohara are a mixed bag with a few promising windows, but you’ve gotta be patient and pick your moments. This is an intermediate spot, but it’s inconsistent, so when it fires, you need to be on it. Water temp is sitting at 80°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We start off on Sunday the 26th with a bit of a dud. There’s a risk of thunderstorms and a light southerly breeze keeping things clean, but the swell is only 3 ft from the east with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is weak (192), and while it’s surfable, it’s very ordinary. Not worth rushing for.

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th are pretty ordinary too. Small swells, onshore or cross-shore winds, and poor conditions. Tuesday afternoon cleans up a bit with a light cross-off breeze and 3 ft E swell, but it’s still just ‘surfable’ at best.

Wednesday the 29th is much the same – small and weak energy in the 110-117 range. Nothing to get excited about.

Thursday the 30th sees a spike in combined energy to 417 early, with a 4 ft ENE swell, but it’s a moderate cross-onshore and choppy. Not ideal. That afternoon drops back down.

Friday the 31st offers a glimmer. The afternoon has a clean offshore breeze from the SSW at 25 km/h, with a small 2 ft ENE swell, but the period is short at 8 seconds. Energy is very weak (78). Still, it’s cleaner than anything before.

Saturday the 1st of August stays small and clean with light offshores. Swell is 1-2 ft from the SSE/ESE, periods up to 10 seconds. Energy is low (86-111). It’s surfable, but small.

Sunday the 2nd of August gets interesting. The morning is a write-off with cross-onshore wind, but the afternoon brings a 3 ft SE groundswell with a very long 15-second period, and combined energy jumps to 409. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, and while it’s labelled marginal, that long period suggests better shaped waves. It’s the first real standout in the outlook.

Now, Monday the 3rd of August is where it gets serious. The morning sees 6 ft SE swell with that same 15-second period, and energy is strong at 1388. A slight air and light cross-shore wind. Then Monday afternoon is the pick of the whole run: 6 ft SE swell, 16-second period, light offshore breeze from the SSE, and energy at 1898. Conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is a standout – get in the water.

Tuesday the 4th of August keeps it going with 7 ft to 8 ft SE swell, still a 16-second period. The morning has light cross-shore wind, the afternoon goes clean with a cross-off breeze. Energy is very strong, up to 3127. This is excellent for experienced surfers.

Wednesday the 5th of August is where it gets too big for Ohara. The morning is 10 ft SE swell with a 17-second period and energy at 5525, but a cross-on breeze and the size makes it sketchy. The afternoon is even bigger at 12 ft and onshore, so that’s a no-go.

From Thursday the 6th through Sunday the 9th of August, the swell just keeps pumping – 13 ft, 18 ft, 28 ft, even 31 ft SE swells with periods of 16 seconds. Energy readings are off the charts (up to 61587). Winds are mostly cross-onshore or cross-off, but the size is way too big for this break. This is expert-only territory and honestly, for most, it’s a pass. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing at this point.

Monday the 10th of August sees a drop back to a manageable 5 ft ESE swell with a 13-second period, and clean offshore winds from the SSW. Energy is still solid at 1247. This is another good window for experienced surfers, with very good conditions expected.

So the best on offer? Without a doubt, Monday the 3rd of August afternoon and Tuesday the 4th of August afternoon. Clean, solid SE groundswell, long periods, and manageable size for intermediates who are confident. Catch it while it’s good.

Rusty.

Read more