Ohara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking for Ohara.

The next few days are pretty underwhelming. The swell is just not showing up with any real energy, with combined energy readings barely cracking 100 (93). Early Wednesday morning, we’re looking at tiny 2ft waves from the east with a short 8 second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze. It’s clean, sure, but honestly, it’s more of a paddle than a surf. That pattern holds through Thursday and Friday – small, weak swell in the 1ft to 2ft range, and the wind stays mostly cross-off to offshore, so the surface will be tidy, but there’s just no push behind it. Friday afternoon does see the combined energy jump to 133, but the waves are still only 1ft from the southeast with a 10-second period. Not exactly lighting the world on fire.

We’ve got a real quiet stretch from late Wednesday all the way through to the end of the weekend. Not much to get excited about. The water temperature is sitting at 80°F, which is spot on for this time of year, so no complaints on that front.

Now, the first real standout comes Monday the 24th. The morning is still a bit messy with some cross-on wind, but by Monday afternoon, things clean up nicely. The swell jumps to 4ft out of the SSE with a solid 14-second period. The combined energy hits 926 – we’re talking moderate energy now. The wind goes light cross-off from the SE, making for clean conditions. This is our first real session of the window. Ohara is an exposed spot for this southeast swell, and the direction is right in its wheelhouse. It’s an inconsistent break, so don’t expect non-stop sets, but when they come, the shape should be good. The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so you might see a few others out.

Tuesday the 25th is the one to circle, though. The swell size jumps to 7ft from the SSE, and the period stretches to 15 seconds – that’s proper groundswell with a very long period. Combined energy roars to 2052 (strong), and the wind is light offshore from the SSW in the morning. This is excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers. For anyone with less time in the water, 7ft is getting big, and with that kind of period, it’s going to have some punch. The offshore wind will keep the faces glassy. This is the best on offer. Afternoon stays good too, with a moderate offshore breeze.

Wednesday the 26th is where it gets big. The morning is still manageable for experts: 8ft swell, 16-second period, light offshore wind. The energy is now 3286 (very strong). But by the afternoon, the swell hits 10ft, and the forecast says it’s too big for this break. Same goes for Thursday and Friday – the swell is pumping at 10ft to 16ft with massive energy readings over 6000, but the wind is either strong offshore or cross-off, and the size is just overwhelming for Ohara. This is expert-only territory, and even then, the conditions are likely dangerous and unruly. Kite surfers might have a field day, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go.

Saturday the 30th sees the swell drop to a more manageable 8ft to 6ft from the SSE, but the wind swings onshore from the east, putting a chop on the surface. It’s marginal.

From Monday the 31st through the 3rd of September, it all goes to hell. Strong onshore winds from the NE and NNE, gusting 18 to 22 mph, with the swell still 7ft to 10ft. That’s a choppy, lumpy mess. Combined energy remains high (over 2300), but the quality is poor. Not worth paddling out.

So, to wrap it up: Monday the 24th afternoon is your first real chance for clean, fun waves. But Tuesday the 25th morning is the standout – 7ft SSE swell, 15-second period, light offshore wind, and strong energy. That’s the one to clear the diary for. After that, the swell gets too big, and then the wind turns ugly. Get on it when the time is right.

Rusty out.

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