Onjuku Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, looking at the stretch ahead for us. The next few days are pretty flat and ordinary, but there’s a massive pulse of energy waiting in the deep blue. It’s a slow start, but when it hits, it’s going to be a proper show.

Right now, through this Thursday morning the 23rd of July, Onjuku is offering up some small clean waves at 2 ft from the east, with a light NE breeze giving us cross-off wind. The swell period is a moderate 10 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate (138). The water is sitting at 79°, which is pretty much average for this time of year. It’s surfable, but nothing to get excited about – just a little knee-high bump to get wet.

Thursday afternoon and through Friday, the swell drops a touch to 2 ft and 2 ft, with the wind swinging more cross or cross-shore, and the energy stays moderate but the wave quality is just poor. Not worth rushing out for.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th see even smaller surf, with the swell dropping to 1 ft and 2 ft, with a mix of cross and cross-off winds. The longer period swell on Saturday afternoon (16 seconds) is a tease, but it’s too small and the wind is messy. Sunday morning does have a brief window of clean cross-off from the ENE, but the swell is tiny at 1 ft. Ordinary couple of days.

Monday the 27th of July is a bit of a wake-up call. Morning brings a clean, glassy offshore from the NNE, with a 3 ft swell from the SSW, but the period is a short 6 seconds, so it’s weak and bumpy. The afternoon jumps up to 4 ft from the SSW, with a cross-off breeze and the combined energy hitting moderate (220). Still, the short period keeps it from being anything special – just a bit of a messy, workable wave.

Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are back to poor conditions with small swell and moderate cross-off winds, energy dropping below 100. Not much happening.

Thursday the 30th of July sees a small improvement: 3 ft from the ENE with a light NE cross-off, clean conditions, and moderate energy at 121. Still small, but at least it’s clean. Then the end of July and into early August fades into onshore wind territory with tiny swell, lasting right through to Sunday the 2nd of August.

Now, here’s where it gets real. On Sunday the 2nd of August, the swell begins to pump up. The morning shows 5 ft from the SE with a 16-second period, but the wind is onshore from the SSW and the combined energy is already a massive 1164 (strong). This is a groundswell, but it’s onshore and messy, so it’s not for paddle surfing. The afternoon hits 6 ft, still onshore. This setup is more interesting for the kite crew than the paddle crew.

Monday the 3rd of August: the swell jumps to 10 ft from the SE, with a very long 18-second period, and the energy is extreme (6300). The wind is cross-onshore and choppy, and at over 8 ft, this is experts-only territory. The break is a beach, and with that long period, it’ll be breaking straight and fast. Not a friendly paddle day.

Tuesday the 4th of August: the swell is 16 ft from the SE, with a 17-18 second period, and the energy is off the charts (16177). The wind is cross-onshore, and the forecast says it’s too big for this break. Truth is, it’s going to be a washing machine.

Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th of August: the swell peaks at 20 ft to 26 ft from the ESE, with periods of 15-16 seconds, and the energy is astronomical (18585 to 45525). The wind finally turns favourable for Onjuku on Wednesday morning – a light NE cross-off, clean. But the swell is 20 ft. That’s massive. The forecast says it’s too big for the break. Even with clean conditions, this is only for the most experienced, and even then, it’s a serious risk. The beach break will be closing out.

Friday the 7th of August: the swell is 26 ft to 31 ft from the ESE, with a strong offshore from the NNE blowing at 28-31 mph. The waves will be clean but the wind is a near gale, making it nearly impossible to paddle into. The energy is 38769. This is a big-wave event, not a casual session.

The standout option: If you’re an expert and prepared for the size, the cleanest window is Wednesday the 5th of August morning through to Thursday the 6th of August morning at Onjuku. The swell is 20 ft to 25 ft from the ESE, with a 15-16 second period, and the wind is light to moderate cross-off from the NE. The combined energy is 18585 to 39254. It’s going to be huge, but with clean conditions, it’s the best on offer for the brave. For everyone else, sit this one out.

Rusty.

Read more