Onjuku Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s be straight with you about Onjuku. The next couple of days are a write-off—storms and cross-onshore slop will keep you out of the water. But once we get past that, things start to shape up. The water temp is sitting at 82°, which is about a degree Fahrenheit warmer than the long-term average for this time of year, so it’s a touch on the balmy side.

The first real chance of a surf comes Thursday morning, 13 August. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore breeze and the swell is a clean 5 ft out of the east, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 433, and conditions are clean. This is the pick of the first week. The swell is a bit too much for total beginners, but for intermediates it’s a solid offering. Crowds are possible here, so expect a few other keen locals.

Friday morning, 14 August, keeps that same 5 ft east swell with a 10-second period, making for a slightly longer, more powerful wave. The combined energy bumps up to 501, still moderate. The wind is cross-off from the northeast, 12 mph, so it’ll be clean and lined up. Another good morning.

Saturday morning, 15 August, has a touch more size—5 ft out of the east with a 9-second period, energy at 540. The wind is cross-off from the ENE, 12 mph, so clean. It’s a solid option, but not the standout.

Sunday morning, 16 August, is the big one. The swell jumps to 6 ft out of the east, with a 10-second period, and the combined energy rockets to 1271—that’s strong wave energy. The wind is cross-off from the northeast, 16 mph, keeping it clean. This is the best swell of the whole forecast. It’s getting into expert territory, and the long period at 10 seconds means the waves will have plenty of punch. Onjuku is exposed, so it’ll take the full force. Crowds are possible, and with this kind of energy, you’ll want to be experienced.

Monday morning, 17 August, drops back to 5 ft with a 10-second period, energy at 535, and cross-off wind. Still a decent wave, but the real magic was Sunday.

From Tuesday afternoon, 18 August, onwards, the surf starts to fade. The wind turns cross-on, and the swell drops below 4 ft by Wednesday. There’s a gap of poor surf from around Tuesday afternoon for the rest of the week. On Thursday morning, 20 August, the swell is tiny at 2 ft with a 9-second period, but the wind goes glassy—zero wind. That’s a rare, clean morning for a longboard or a micro-skim, but it’s tiny. The combined energy is weak at 140.

After that, it’s mostly poor surf and onshore winds through to the end of the 16-day window. The swells are small, periods are short, and the wind is often cross-on or onshore. There’s a brief bump on 21 August with a 6 ft south-southwest swell, but the wind is onshore and the period is short at 8 seconds, so it’s messy.

The standout by far is Sunday morning, 16 August—6 ft east swell, strong energy, clean cross-off wind. That’s your best shot. Get it while it’s good.

Rusty.

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