Ohara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up at Ohara.

Right off the bat, it’s a pretty quiet start. The first few days bring ankle-to-knee-high waves with poor conditions, so don’t even bother paddling out until later in the week. The water temp is sitting at 77°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real glimmer of hope comes Friday afternoon, July 17. Swell bumps up to around 4ft from the ESE, with a period of 9 seconds and a combined energy of 206 (moderate). The wind goes cross-offshore from the SSE at 9 mph, so the surface should be clean. It’s not massive, but it’s the best we’ve seen so far. Ohara is an inconsistent spot, so you take what you get.

Saturday, July 18, stays similar in size, around 3 to 4ft from the E, but the wind is cross-shore, so expect a little chop. It’s surfable but not clean.

There’s a dry spell from Sunday, July 19 through to Tuesday, July 22 morning. Those days are small, messy, and cross-onshore – not worth your time.

Things pick up again on Wednesday afternoon, July 22. Swell holds at 4ft from the E, period 10 seconds, and combined energy jumps to 291 (moderate). The wind goes cross-offshore from the ESE at only 6 mph, leaving it clean. This is a solid option.

The standout of the whole outlook is Thursday, July 23. Morning brings 4ft from the E, period 10 seconds, combined energy 324 (moderate), and glassy offshore wind from the S at just 3 mph. That’s proper clean surf. The afternoon stays good with 4ft from the E, offshore wind from the SSW at 9 mph – still clean. If you’ve got a day to surf, this is it.

Friday, July 24, stays similar at 3ft from the ENE but with cross-offshore SSW wind at 12 mph. It’s clean but the swell drops a bit.

From Saturday, July 25 onward, the size fades. Sunday, July 26, drops to 1ft with a long period of 12 seconds from the ESE – that’s a groundswell, but it’s tiny. The energy is weak (124), and while the wind is offshore, there’s just not enough wave to ride.

Monday, July 27, sees a little bump in the afternoon: 3ft from the SE with a period of 13 seconds, combined energy 300 (moderate). Cross-offshore wind keeps it clean, but the long period means it’ll break straight at a beach break – better for a reef or point.

The very end of the outlook, July 29, brings a weird one: 2ft from the SE with a period of 18 seconds, and combined energy 311 (moderate). That’s a very long-period groundswell, but it’s tiny, and the wind is cross-shore, so it’s not doing much. The afternoon has 2ft with a 19-second period and energy 524 (strong), but again, cross-shore wind and small size – not a paddler’s friend.

Bottom line: Thursday, July 23, is your best day. Clean, waist-high waves, offshore wind, and moderate energy. Wednesday afternoon, July 22, is a close second. The rest is mostly small or messy. Ohara is inconsistent, so a blank run is normal here. But when it lines up, it’s worth the wait.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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