Onjuku Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the cards for the Onjuku area over the next few weeks. It’s been a bit of a slow start, so sit tight.

First up, the ocean is running warmer than average for the time of year, with the water temperature sitting at 76°F and the anomaly only slightly negative, so it’s comfortable. But the surf? If you’re looking to paddle out, you’ll be staring at a long, flat spell for the first week. We’ve got a solid-looking, very long-period groundswell coming through on Sunday 12 July – 7ft from the SSW with a 16-second period. Sounds juicy, I know, but the direction is cross-on from the SW at 16 mph, and those waves are going to be a choppy, messy mess. The combined energy is moderate (2032), but it’s a write-off for a good surf. That period over 15 seconds at a beach break like Onjuku, with a cross-onshore wind, is just going to close out or be a battle. It’s not worth it.

The first half of the week is a total write-off. Monday through Thursday (13th to 16th July) are all poor to marginal, with tiny waves and unfavourable winds. There’s a glimmer on Tuesday 14th morning with a glassy 2ft SSW swell, but it’s weak (161 combined energy) and the period is short. Honestly, you’d be better off staying in bed.

Then we get a real shift. Friday 17th July afternoon sees a jump in the swell – a 3ft SE swell at 16 seconds, but the wind is cross-on and the energy is moderate (560). Still not quite clean enough. But hold on to your boardies for Saturday 18th July. That’s the standout. The morning brings a proper 8ft SE swell, a 12-second period, with a gentle cross-shore breeze. The combined energy is strong (1642). This is a session for experienced surfers only – 8ft at a beach break is no joke, but if you’ve got the skills, it’ll be a big, powerful day. Keep in mind the wind is light cross-shore, but with a long period SE swell, it might break a bit straight on the beach, but there will be plenty of push.

That big swell holds through Saturday afternoon at 7ft, and then Sunday 19th July sees a drop to 5ft, but the wind turns cross-offshore from the ENE. That’s clean. The swell direction is still SE, and the period drops to 8-9 seconds, so it’s a bit more short-period and windswell-ish, but it’ll be rideable. The energy is moderate (494). It’s a much better option for intermediates.

Monday 20th July is the second best call. The morning has 5ft SE swell, with light offshore winds from the NE. It’s clean, the combined energy is moderate (424), and the crowd factor is “sometimes” – so you might have a few out, but it’s not a circus. That’s a solid, fun day. After that, the window closes. From Tuesday 21st July onwards, the swell drops and the wind turns onshore or cross-on, with only small, weak waves through to the end of the month. There’s a tiny chance on Monday 27th July morning with a 2ft E swell and clean cross-offshore wind, but it’s weak (210 energy) – just a minor bump.

So, the best on offer is Saturday 18th July for the big, powerful swell (for experts), and Monday 20th July for a cleaner, more manageable session. The rest of the run is a long gap with very little to recommend.

Rusty.

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