Onjuku Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Onjuku. This is a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. The first week or so is pretty flat and average, but there’s a serious pulse of energy building for the start of August that could fire up.

For the first few days, starting Wednesday the 22nd, it’s a bit of a struggle. We’ve got a weak, short-period easterly swell hanging around, mostly around 2ft to 3ft, with a period of 9 to 10 seconds. The wind’s mainly cross-onshore, and the water’s just got that messy, choppy look. The combined swell energy is moderate at best, sitting around 124 to 217 (217). It’s surfable, but you’d be fighting for crummy little waves. Thursday morning the 23rd looks a bit tidier with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NE, making things clean, but the waves are tiny at 2ft. It’s not really worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate for a splash.

We get a bit of a glimmer on Sunday the 26th afternoon. The wind goes glassy, and the swell bumps up to 4ft from the ESE, but the period is a shocking 5 seconds – that’s pure wind chop. The combined energy is 213 (213), so there’s some push, but it’s messy. Still, if you’re there with a foamie, you might snag a few grovelly ones.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. Monday the 27th through to the end of the month are dominated by those pesky SW winds, with swell dropping to 1.0ft to 2ft. The combined energy plummets to as low as 39 (39). It’s a real flat spell. Not much doing.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The first couple of days of August look promising, but with a big caveat. On Saturday the 1st, we’ve got a tiny 1ft swell, but the period is a massive 17 seconds from the ESE. That’s a long-period groundswell, and with glassy conditions in the morning, it could be clean, but it’s going to be very weak and inconsistent. The combined energy is 222 (222), which is moderate, but the size is tiny.

Then, hold onto your board, because Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd are the real standouts. Sunday the 2nd morning sees a 4ft ESE swell with a 15-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1022 (1022) – that’s strong energy. The wind is light onshore, so it’s not perfect, but the size and period are there. The real gem is Monday the 3rd afternoon. We’re looking at a solid 7ft swell from the south, with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 3023 (3023). The wind is cross-offshore from the ENE, keeping it clean. This is proper, powerful groundswell. 7ft is getting up there, so it’s for experienced surfers only. The long period means it’ll be better on a point or reef, rather than the beach break, but if Onjuku is handling it, those waves will have some serious grunt. The crowd situation is listed as “sometimes” busy, so you might have some company, but it’s worth it.

After that, the wind really cranks up. Tuesday the 4th through to Thursday the 6th still have a big 6ft to 6ft ESE swell, with very long 15-16 second periods, and the combined energy is still strong, between 1672 and 3008 (1672). But the wind is a fresh to strong breeze, 18 to 28 mph. Those conditions will be wild, with massive wind chop and blown-out faces. It’s more of a kite-surfing show than a paddling session at that point.

So, for the best of it, your window is Monday the 3rd of August afternoon. That’s the one. The swell’s big, the period is long, and the wind is off. Don’t be late, and don’t be a beginner.

Rusty.

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