Onjuku Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let's have a look at what Onjuku's got lined up for us.

Honestly, the next week and a half is looking pretty grim. There's a lot of swell on the cards, especially from the 6th of September onwards, but the wind and conditions are going to be all over the shop. We're looking at a long stretch of poor surf, with only a couple of fleeting moments where it might be worth getting wet.

Things kick off on Thursday the 3rd, but it's nothing to write home about. We've got a small 2-foot swell from the east, but with a 12 mph cross-onshore breeze it's going to be choppy and messy. The water temp is sitting at 79°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won't need a steamer.

Friday the 4th offers a slight glimmer. The swell stays small at 2-foot, but shifting to a south direction with a light offshore breeze in the morning. It'll be clean, but the wave energy is moderate at best (153). It's surfable, but very ordinary. The afternoon is similar with a light cross-off breeze. Saturday the 5th is a write-off, with the wind picking up and the swell turning messy, despite a brief spike in energy to 235 on the Saturday afternoon from a short period 5-foot easterly.

From Sunday the 6th through to the 10th of September, the swell gets serious, but so does the wind. We're looking at waves well over 8-foot, which is expert territory, but with strong onshore and cross-onshore winds, it'll be a bumpy, blown-out mess. The combined energy readings are strong to very strong (hitting 2433 on the 8th), but it's all for nothing with the conditions. The 8th of September has a massive 10-foot SSE groundswell with a period of 11 seconds, but a 19 mph cross-onshore will ruin it.

The 11th and 12th of September drop off in size but the wind stays strong. The 12th has a long period 2-foot easterly swell (14 seconds) and clean conditions, but it's tiny. There's a bit more life on the 14th of September. Monday morning brings a 4-foot ESE swell with a gentle 9 mph cross-off breeze, and the wave comment says "expect good surf conditions." The energy is moderate (342), and it's the first proper window we've seen. It's not a standout, but it's the best of a bad bunch.

For a true standout, you'd have to look at the 18th of September. It's a long way off, so take it with a pinch of salt, but Friday the 18th has a glassy morning with a 3 mph north wind and a small 2-foot NE swell. The wave energy is weak (157), but glassy conditions with clean surf are a rare treat. It's not going to be big, but it'll be the cleanest wave we've seen in a fortnight.

So, to sum it up: don't hold your breath for the next week. The 14th of September is your best early shout for some clean, small waves. If you're patient, the 18th of September has the best chance of clean, glassy conditions. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because a run this poor tends not to last.

Rusty.

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