Papanoa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, let’s talk about Papanoa. The surf’s looking pretty good over the next couple of weeks, but it’s not a constant blast. We’ve got a solid run of clean waves coming up for the more experienced crew, with a few standout sessions that are gonna be worth getting the board waxed for.

The swell is rolling in from the SSW for most of the period, and the water here is sitting at 88° with a touch warmer than normal feel for this time of year.

We kick off this Saturday, September 5th, with a solid pulse. Saturday morning has some clouds but the wind is light cross-off from the NW, and the swell is 6 ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 16 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, folks. The energy is strong (1595), and the waves are going to be clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The break is consistent and exposed, so you’ll get plenty of sets. But be aware, with that long period, it’s going to be better at the reef and point setups than a beach break, and it’s over 5 ft, so it’s a bit much for beginners. Crowds are possible here, so get out early.

Sunday morning, September 6th, is another beauty. The wind is glassy right out of the NW at just 3 mph. The swell is 5 ft from the SSW, period at 15 seconds, and energy is still strong (1133). It’s a little smaller than Saturday, but with that glassy surface, it’s going to be top-notch. This is the kind of morning you dream about.

Monday, September 7th, holds up well. The morning has a risk of thunderstorms, but the wind is glassy again from the N at 3 mph. The swell is 4 ft from the SSW, 14 second period, and energy is still decent (897). The conditions will be very good.

Tuesday, September 8th, the morning is a winner. Clear skies, glassy wind from the ENE at 3 mph, and the swell is 3 ft from the SSW. It’s smaller, but glassy is glassy, and it’ll be fun.

The pattern continues with clean mornings through the rest of the week. Wednesday, September 9th, the morning has light rain and a cross-off wind from the N, with a 3 ft swell from the SW and 16 seconds. Thursday, September 10th, the morning is great with a cross-off from the NNW, 4 ft from the SW. Friday, September 11th, the morning has a cross-off from the NW, 4 ft from the SSW.

Then Saturday, September 12th, the morning is glassy again from the NE, with a 3 ft swell from the SW. Good stuff.

The afternoons are generally a write-off, with onshore winds coming in and making it choppy, so stick to the dawn patrol.

The best of the bunch is definitely that first Saturday morning, September 5th. The biggest swell, with that long period, clean conditions, and the most energy. Sunday morning, September 6th, is a close second with that glassy wind.

Looking further out, the second week has some good mornings too. Monday, September 14th, the morning is clean with a cross-off from the E, 3 ft from the SW. Tuesday, September 15th, the morning is glassy from the NNE, 3 ft from the SW. Wednesday, September 16th, the morning is glassy from the N, 4 ft from the SSW. Thursday, September 17th, the morning is glassy from the NE, 4 ft from the SW. And Friday, September 18th, the morning is glassy from the ENE, 3 ft from the SW. All these are promising, but less certain being further out.

Overall, the first week has the strongest pulses. Get on it early and you’ll be rewarded.

Rusty.

Read more