Port Waikato-Sunset beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the Port Waikato-Sunset Beach area.

The first solid run of surf kicks off on Friday the 10th of July, and it’s a cracker for the experienced crew. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

Friday the 10th is the standout. You’ve got a solid 8ft swell from the SW, with a super long period of 14 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is pumping at 3653 (strong to very strong). Morning’s looking clear with a S cross-off breeze at 9 mph, keeping things clean. The afternoon holds the same size and direction with a SSE breeze at 6 mph, still cross-off. This is serious, heavy surf – too big for beginners, this is for the experienced only.

Saturday the 11th eases off a touch but keeps the quality. Morning brings 6ft from the SW at 15 seconds, with an offshore ESE breeze at 6 mph – clean as. Afternoon drops to 5ft, same SW direction, with a glassy SE offshore at 3 mph. Still excellent for those who know what they’re doing.

Sunday the 12th is the real gem. The morning has 6ft from the WSW, 16-second period, with a light E cross-off. But the afternoon – Sunday arvo – you get 6ft from the SW, 15 seconds, and the wind goes dead calm, glassy. That is the pick of the whole outlook. Clean, lined up, and with that long period, the waves will have real shape and power. Expect crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Monday the 13th morning still offers clean 5ft WSW swell at 14 seconds, but the arvo turns messy with a cross-shore breeze and only marginal conditions. Tuesday the 14th has a morning glass-off with 6ft from the WNW, but the period is short (8 seconds) – less grunt, more crumble. Afternoon gets a bit of cross-on wind.

Wednesday the 15th morning looks promising again – 6ft from the W at 12 seconds, clean with a light NE cross-off. But the arvo brings onshore rain showers and a jumpy 8ft swell – that’s more of a messy, blown-out affair.

Thursday the 16th is another good one: morning has 8ft from the WSW, 15 seconds, clean with a light ENE cross-off. The afternoon is glassy, 8ft, same direction – that’s a solid day for experienced surfers, though it’s pushing big.

From Friday the 17th through to the end of the second week, the surf stays rideable but gets smaller. Friday the 17th morning gives 7ft clean, but the size drops through the weekend. Saturday the 18th sees 5ft with a moderate offshore breeze at 12 mph – clean but smaller. Sunday the 19th holds 6ft with a stiff 12-15 mph offshore from the ESE, so you’ll get clean, hollow waves but the wind is gusty.

From Monday the 20th onwards, the swell fades. You’re looking at 4ft or less, often around 3-3ft. The winds stay offshore through until Wednesday the 22nd, so it’s clean but small. By Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th, you’re down to 2-3ft with moderate cross-off breezes – pretty marginal, with poor conditions flagged. There’s a long drop-off here, with a few days of very minimal surf.

Saturday the 25th closes the window with tiny 3ft swell and light cross or cross-on winds – not really worth paddling out for.

So the standout is Sunday the 12th afternoon – glassy, clean, 6ft long-period SW swell, at Sunset Beach. That’s the one to circle. Saturday the 11th is also a ripper. Friday the 10th is for the experienced only.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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