Onjuku Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer over the next couple of weeks.

First up, we’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The surf kicks off on Monday, 3 August, but honestly, it’s not worth paddling out for. Onjuku is a bit inconsistent at the best of times, and right now the combination of a 30 km/h cross-offshore breeze and a 6ft swell from the SE with a long 16-second period is making for a clean but messy setup. The water’s sitting at 82°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The wave energy is moderate (2032), but the swell quality is just not there for a proper session.

Moving into Tuesday, 4 August, the swell starts to build. By Tuesday morning we’re looking at 12ft from the SE, still with a 16-second period and a steady 35 km/h cross-offshore wind. The wave energy jumps up to a strong 6573, but the problem is that 12ft is too big for most surfers – this is expert-only territory, and even then the wind is holding it together but it’s a brute. Wednesday, 5 August, pushes it even further, with 13ft waves and very strong energy (8089). Again, the wind is solid cross-offshore, but this is a full-on big-wave day, not for the faint-hearted.

Thursday, 6 August, we see a slight drop to 12ft, with a bit less wind (15 km/h) and a shift to an onshore breeze in the afternoon, plus a risk of thunderstorms. The wave energy is still strong (5057), but the afternoon turns into a cross-shore chop, so that morning window might be the only chance for the brave. By Friday, 7 August, the swell is down to 8ft, but the wind is swinging cross-shore and the risk of t-storms persists – nothing to get excited about.

Saturday, 8 August, things ease off to 6ft, but the wind is cross-shore and the energy dips to 1875. The surf is clean but marginal, and the swell period is down to 14 seconds. Sunday, 9 August, is even smaller at 6ft, with a fresh 30 km/h cross-offshore but the wave energy is still moderate (1814). It’s clean, but not really pushing.

Now, Monday, 10 August, brings another spike – 12ft from the E with a 13-second period and a strong 40 km/h offshore wind. The energy is very strong (4243), and the wind is offshore, making it clean but a real battle to paddle into. This is for experts only, and even then the wind is howling. Tuesday, 11 August, sees a drop to 8ft, with the wind still offshore, but the wave energy is moderate (2432) – still a bit tricky.

Wednesday, 12 August, we’ve got a light onshore breeze from the SSW, and the swell is 8ft from the E with moderate energy (2368). The wind is turning onshore, so it’s not looking great. Thursday, 13 August, is a bit better – 6ft with a cross-offshore breeze and moderate energy (1063), but it’s still not a standout.

Friday, 14 August, is a write-off – 5ft, onshore wind, and low energy (650). Poor conditions all round.

Then, Saturday, 15 August, the swell picks up again to 8ft from the ESE, with a 11-second period and moderate energy (1245). The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean but not a classic. Sunday, 16 August, we get a big jump to 13ft from the ESE, with very strong energy (8887) – again, too big for most, but the wind is moderate and cross-offshore, so it’s clean and powerful. Monday, 17 August, is the biggest of the lot – 16ft from the ESE, with a massive energy of 12497. This is a solid groundswell, but it’s only for the absolute top crew. The wind is moderate and cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but you’ll need a big board and a bigger pair.

Finally, Tuesday, 18 August, we drop back to 8ft with moderate energy (1514). The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but nothing special.

The standout? Honestly, there’s not a single day that screams “paddle out now” for the average surfer. The biggest swells are too big for most, and the smaller days are marginal. If you’re an expert, the mornings of Tuesday, 4 August, or Monday, 10 August, offer the best combination of clean conditions and serious power. For everyone else, maybe wait for a better window.

Rusty.

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