Ohara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu at Ohara over the next couple of weeks.

There’s a bit of a flat spell to kick things off, but don’t walk away just yet. The real story is a solid pulse of long-period groundswell that rolls in during the second week, and it’s got the makings of something special. Let’s break it down.

The first few days are nothing to write home about. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st bring small, weak E/SE swell around 3ft to 4ft, with cross-off winds that are workable but not clean. The energy is low (148 to 278), and honestly, it’s just ordinary. You’d be better off waiting.

Wednesday the 22nd morning is the first real glimmer. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, and the swell holds at 3ft from the east with a 10-second period. That’s clean, small-wave fun. Energy is moderate (210). It’s the best of the early week, but it’s still small.

Then we hit a dry spell. From Thursday the 23rd through Sunday the 26th, the surf is poor. The swell drops, winds turn cross-onshore, and it’s choppy and messy. Energy stays weak (100-166). A few SE swells show up, but the wind ruins it. From the 23rd to the 26th, there’s nothing worth paddling out for.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 27th sees a bump in energy from the south, but the wind is still cross-off and the swell is only 2ft to 3ft. Not quite there yet.

The standout window opens Tuesday the 28th. A proper SSW groundswell arrives, and the energy jumps to 1242. That’s moderate-strong, and it’s got 14-second period. Tuesday morning is 6ft from the S, but the wind is cross-off, so it’s clean. But the real magic is Tuesday afternoon: the wind goes glassy, dead calm, with 4ft from the SSW at 14 seconds. The energy is 996, and the conditions are glassy. For an intermediate spot, that’s a beautiful afternoon session.

Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th are the absolute peak. Wednesday afternoon sees 7ft from the SSW with 14-second period and clean cross-off winds. Energy is 1703. Thursday morning is even better: 7ft from the SSW, 15-second period, and glassy winds. Energy is 1633. This is slow, powerful, long-period groundswell – the kind that loves a point or reef, but at Ohara it’s going to be lined up and clean. It’s getting solid (over 5ft), so it’s not for beginners, but for an intermediate or above, this is the best on offer.

Friday the 31st morning keeps the goods with 6ft from the SSW, 16-second period, and clean cross-off winds. Energy is 2101 – strong. But Friday afternoon and Saturday the 1st of August, the swell jumps to 10ft. That’s too big for this break, and the wind picks up to 22 mph. The energy is huge (5464 and 4480), but it’s for experts only, and the wind will be messing with it.

After that, it settles down. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd of August bring smaller, cleaner surf: 4ft to 3ft from the SSE/ESE, with offshore and cross-off winds. Energy is moderate (317-333). It’s a nice, mellow finish.

Ohara is sometimes inconsistent, and this forecast shows that. There’s a real gap from the 23rd to the 26th with no good surf. But when the swell hits from the 28th to the 31st, it’s the real deal. The water temperature is 78°, which is bang on average for this time of year.

The standout is Thursday the 30th of July morning – glassy winds, 7ft SSW groundswell with 15-second period, very strong energy (1633). That’s the one to circle on the calendar. If you can only get out once, make it that window.

Rusty out.

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