Ohara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Ohara. The water’s sitting at a warm 81°, which is a touch above what you’d normally expect for this time of year, so the bathers will be happy even if the surf takes a while to get going.

Honestly, the start of this period is a bit of a dud. From Friday the 11th right through the weekend, it’s just blown-out and poor. Cross-on or onshore wind makes a mess of the small 2 ft to 2 ft easterly slop, and the energy is weak to moderate (201 to 263). You’re not missing anything.

Monday the 14th morning is still tiny, but the wind finally swings offshore from the SSW, cleaning up the 2 ft swell. The period is short at 9 seconds, so it’s not got much push, but the afternoon sees that swell bump up to 4 ft with a solid 12 mph offshore wind. The energy climbs to 312, and for the first time it’s looking surfable. Not a standout, but a start.

Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th are the real bright spot in this outlook. Tuesday morning brings a 2 ft easterly groundswell with a long 14-second period and light offshore wind. The energy is strong at 382. The wind holds offshore all day. Then Wednesday the 16th afternoon goes glassy, with no wind at all, picking up a clean 2 ft, 12-second E swell (energy 252). This is your window – a small, clean, lined-up setup that’s perfect for a longboard or a fish. It’s not big, but the quality is there. The break is inconsistent though, so be patient and wait for the sets.

Thursday the 17th goes back to choppy cross-on junk, and then Friday the 18th sees a massive pulse of swell – 6 ft to 8 ft from the SE with a very long 16-second period. The energy is huge (3182 to 3684), but the wind is howling onshore from the NNE at 19-22 mph. That combo will be a washing machine – messy and dangerous. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

That big energy sticks around for the weekend (19th and 20th) with 10 ft to 7 ft swell, but the wind is still cross-on. However, Sunday the 20th afternoon saves it. The wind drops to a light 3 mph offshore from the SSE, the swell sits at 7 ft from the SE with a 9-second period, and the energy is high (1296). That’s a clean, powerful wave for experienced surfers only – too big for beginners.

The following week (21st to 26th) is a mix of marginal conditions and more massive swells. Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd have clean offshore winds but the swell is inconsistent and period is short or the wind is too strong (19 mph). The real standouts on the horizon are Friday the 25th afternoon and Saturday the 26th. On Friday the 25th afternoon, it goes absolutely glassy with a huge 10 ft, 16-second SE groundswell and an energy reading of 4619. That’s a monster, but the forecast says it’s too big for this break. Saturday the 26th carries the same problem – 12 ft SE swell, glassy or light cross, but far too big and powerful for a consistent session here. Keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath.

So, for the best surf, aim for Wednesday the 16th afternoon for the clean, glassy small stuff, or Sunday the 20th afternoon for the more powerful, expert-only waves.

Rusty.

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