Papanoa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for the next couple of weeks.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off, to be honest. We’ve got some swell, but the wind is all over the place and the conditions are just messy. It’s not until Sunday the 2nd that things start to clean up. The water is sitting at a warm 88° here, which is about a touch warmer than normal for the time of year. That’s nice.

Sunday the 2nd is the first real glimmer of hope. Early morning at Papanoa, we’ll see a glassy, clean surface with a light 2ft SSW swell. The energy is moderate (263), and it’s a nice little groundswell with a 12-second period. Perfect for a longboard or a funboard, real chilled out session before the afternoon wind ruins it.

The pattern after that is a bit of a tease. Monday the 3rd morning looks clean again with a cross-offshore breeze and a 3ft SSW swell, period pushing 14 seconds. That’s a decent little wave, moderate energy (356). But the afternoons keep getting chopped by the sea breeze.

Now, the real standout is the window from Friday the 7th of August right through to Saturday the 15th. This is where we get a proper run of long-period groundswell, and the mornings are looking absolutely pristine.

Friday the 7th morning is a beaut. Glassy conditions, 3ft of SSW swell at a very long 18 seconds. The energy is strong (710). That’s a proper groundswell that will wrap in nicely. This is expert territory for the power, but the wave quality will be top-shelf.

Saturday the 8th morning is even better. 4ft of SSW swell, still 16 seconds, glassy. The energy is strong (750). This is one of the best calls of the whole period.

Tuesday the 11th morning, Wednesday the 12th morning, Friday the 14th morning, and Saturday the 15th morning all repeat the formula: glassy or near-calm winds, consistent 3ft to 4ft SW groundswell, and periods hanging around 14 to 16 seconds. The energy stays strong, hitting 846 on the 15th. Every single one of these mornings is a go.

The best on offer is undeniably Saturday the 8th morning. That 4ft, 16-second SSW groundswell with glassy conditions is going to be clean, lined-up, and have plenty of push. Get on it early. The only downside is that crowds are sometimes an issue here, so expect company.

The second-best call is Friday the 7th morning. That 18-second period is incredibly long, which means the sets will be fat and powerful, but be patient – the gaps between sets will be bigger. A true surfer’s swell.

If you’re a beginner, keep an eye on the smaller mornings like Sunday the 2nd or Tuesday the 4th (2ft), but for the best waves, stick to the early sessions from the 7th onwards.

Rusty.

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