Onjuku Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Onjuku over the next couple of weeks. Mostly a slow start, but there’s a window of real promise later on, especially for the more experienced crew.

Right now, through Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st of August, it’s pretty weak out there – surf around 2 to 1 ft from the east, with a short 11-second period pushing only moderate energy (104 to 204). Winds are a cross-off from the northeast, which keeps it clean, but there’s just not enough push to get excited about. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 82°, so it’s pleasant for a paddle, but the waves are poor.

Tuesday the 1st of September sees a small lift to 3 ft from the east-southeast, with period holding at 12 seconds and energy climbing into the moderate range (324). Still cross-off from the north-northeast, so the lines look clean – but it’s only marginal surf. Wednesday morning the 2nd is the first real glimmer: glassy conditions with the wind dropping to just 3 mph from the east-southeast, and the swell holds at 3 ft, 10-second period, with moderate energy (203). It’s a good call for a sneaky session if you’re keen, but crowds are possible at this spot.

We then hit a long, frustrating stretch. From Wednesday afternoon right through to Saturday the 6th, it’s mostly poor – onshore or cross-onshore winds, choppy conditions, and swell that’s either short-period junk or just messy. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are write-offs. Saturday the 5th has a bit more size at 5 ft from the east but with a terrible 6-second period and fresh cross-off winds – not doing anyone any favours.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday the 6th of September brings a strong, long-period groundswell – 4 to 5 ft from the south, with a period of 12 to 15 seconds, and the energy jumps to very strong (1127 to 1278). The wind is a cross-off from the east-northeast, so the surf looks clean and the lines will have proper shape. That long-period swell will hold up well at Onjuku, especially as it’s an exposed beach setup, so expect longer lulls but some really good waves. This is the first standout window of the outlook.

Monday the 7th gets big – too big, really. Swell jumps to 10 to 12 ft from the east, with a short 9 to 10-second period, and energy goes through the roof (2688 to 4250). Winds are light cross-onshore, but this is only for experts – beginners shouldn’t even think about paddling out, it’s a heavy, powerful mess and might even be more interesting for kite-surfing than paddling.

Tuesday the 8th of September is the standout worth circling. Early morning brings offshore winds from the north at just 6 mph, and the swell drops to a still-chunky 8 ft from the east, 10-second period, with strong energy (2209). The conditions are clean and the waves will have plenty of push – excellent for experienced surfers. It’s the best on offer in the whole forecast, but remember crowds are possible here.

Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th stay big but get messy – 6 to 10 ft from the south-southeast, with long 14-second periods and very strong energy (3161 to 3274), but cross-off winds are fresh to strong, keeping it clean but too big and raw for most. Friday the 11th is another whopper at 12 ft from the south, with strong breeze cross-off, and again only for the pros.

After that, the energy drops sharply from Saturday the 12th right through to Monday the 14th of September – poor conditions, onshore or strong cross-shore winds, and short-period slop. The window’s gone.

So, for the whole sixteen days, the real shine is on Tuesday the 8th of September – that 8 ft east swell with offshore northerly winds at Onjuku is the one to pencil in. Sunday the 6th also offers some nice longer-period groundswell in clean conditions, but the Tuesday morning session tops it all.

Rusty.

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