Onjuku Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good, long look at what Onjuku has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so strap in.

Right out of the gate, the first week is pretty grim. We’ve got a long, dry spell of poor conditions starting Tuesday, August 18th, through to Sunday, August 23rd. The swell is tiny, barely cracking 3ft, mostly from the ESE and E, with periods hanging around that short, weak 8 to 11 second range. The wind is a constant problem, mostly a light cross-onshore breeze that’s ruining any chance of a clean face. It’s basically flat and choppy, not worth paddling out for.

We finally see a real change around Monday, August 24th. A new, much longer-period groundswell arrives from the SSE, with 16 second intervals. The combined energy jumps into the strong zone, hitting 1309 units. The swell picks up to 5ft by Monday morning and then 7ft by the afternoon. The wind is still a cross-onshore from the SSW, so it’s not perfect, but the sheer size and power are a step up. This is where it gets interesting for experienced surfers, but it’s still messy.

The real standout window looks to be Sunday, August 30th. After a few days of big, wind-whipped, and stormy surf that’s more suited to kites than paddle boards, things finally align. On Sunday morning, we get a solid 8ft swell from the SSE (10 second period) with clean conditions and a *light offshore wind from the NNE*. That’s the kind of combo we’ve been waiting for. The water temp is a very warm 81°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. This is the pick of the whole outlook. Expect some power and size, so it’s for the intermediate and above crew, but the offshore wind will make for some awesome, clean lines.

Looking further ahead to Tuesday, September 1st, there’s a massive pulse of energy forecast – over 6409 units – with an 12ft swell from the ESE and a 15 second period. The wind is a fresh offshore NNE, which is perfect. However, the forecast flags that this is simply too big for this break. While the conditions are technically favorable, that much water moving around will turn it into a washing machine and a serious hazard for all but the absolute top-tier chargers. It’s a spectacle, not a surf session.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a total write-off. The second week brings the goods, but you have to wait. The standout is Sunday, August 30th morning at Onjuku – that’s your best bet for clean, powerful waves with an offshore wind.

Rusty.

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