Ohara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for our local patch, Ohara.

First up, don’t get too excited straight away. The good stuff is front-loaded this week, but we’re looking at a solid run of surf right now with some proper S swell energy pushing in. Water temp is sitting at 76°, which is a couple of degrees cooler than we’d normally expect for this time of year, so you’ll want a spring suit if you’re fussy.

Friday 7 August morning is the standout. Ohara is seeing a 6ft S swell with a 12-second period and a combined energy of 1314 (strong wave energy). That’s proper groundswell. Wind is light offshore from the SSE at 9 mph, keeping it glassy and clean. This is excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers only – over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners. The swell direction is S, right on the money for this exposed break. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so expect company on a Friday morning.

Friday afternoon drops a little to 5ft S swell, still clean with offshore wind, but the energy eases to 963 (moderate). Still very good, just not as punchy as the morning.

Saturday 8 August the swell backs off to 4ft from the SE in the morning with a 11-second period and 622 energy (moderate). Winds are light cross-offshore, so it’s clean but smaller. Afternoon picks up a bit to 4ft from the ESE with a longer 13-second period, pushing energy back up to 952, but the wind shifts cross-offshore and conditions get a bit more marginal on the tide.

Sunday 9 August sees the swell push back up to 6ft from the ESE with a 13-second period and strong energy around 1132-1136. Problem is the wind goes cross-onshore, making it lumpy. It’s not terrible, but it’s not the clean, lined-up stuff we had Friday.

Monday 10 August is a write-off. Onshore wind hits 19 mph, making it choppy and poor. Skip it.

Tuesday 11 August starts rough with a 7ft ENE swell and cross-onshore wind, so it’s a choppy mess. But the afternoon swings around – wind goes offshore from the SSW at 12 mph, the swell drops to 5ft from the east with a 10-second period and 577 energy (moderate). Clean and very good surf, but the morning is a write-off.

From Wednesday 12 August onwards, the energy drops off hard. Swell heights stay under 5ft, periods shorten, and winds turn mostly cross-onshore or onshore. There’s a brief flicker on Monday 17 August afternoon with a 4ft ESE swell, 10-second period, and clean cross-offshore wind, scoring as good surf. But it’s small and inconsistent.

After that, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions from Tuesday 18 August all the way through to the end of the forecast on 22 August. Swell drops to under 4ft, winds are cross-onshore or onshore, and energy is weak (under 500). Not worth paddling out.

So, bottom line: Friday 7 August morning is your best bet – solid S groundswell, offshore wind, clean and powerful. Tuesday afternoon is a decent backup. After that, it’s a waiting game. The break is inconsistent at the best of times, so a blank run like this isn’t unusual. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s looking quiet.

Rusty.

Read more