Port Waikato-Sunset beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s cut straight to it. The next couple of weeks at Port Waikato-Sunset Beach are a proper mixed bag. We’ve got some real quality lined up, but there’s also a stretch of washing machine conditions and a big pulse of swell that’ll have you checking your fins are tight.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off. Sunday morning you’re looking at light rain and a cross-onshore breeze with a lumpy 8ft swell – it’s messy, and the tide’s not helping. The afternoon cleans up a touch as the wind drops, but it’s still cross-shore and not worth getting excited about. Monday is similar story: smaller but onshore, and that long-period groundswell is just not holding together.

Tuesday the 11th is where it starts to turn. It’s still small – around 4ft – but we get a clean, glassy run with a light offshore touch. That 13 to 14 second period is proper groundswell energy, and the Beach (Port Waikato) should have some fun, lined-up walls for the intermediate crew. It’s not big, but it’s clean and consistent. This is your first decent window.

Wednesday and Thursday drop off significantly – barely 3ft of swell, and while it’s clean, it’s pretty gutless. You’d be scratching for a wave. Then Friday the 14th brings a new SW groundswell, pushing 4ft to 4ft with a very long 16-second period. With light offshore winds predicted for the morning, that’s your stand-out session for the first week. Clean, lined-up, and plenty of energy for its size. The period is long, so it might be a bit straight at the beach, but it should still offer some proper runners.

Now, the weekend is a write-off. Saturday kicks up with onshore winds and chop. Sunday the 16th is a big warning sign – that swell jumps to 8ft in the morning, then absolutely detonates by the afternoon. We’re talking a solid 13ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and a fresh cross-shore breeze. The combined energy reading is a massive 10339, which is just pumping. This is way beyond Sunset Beach – it’ll be a washing machine. This setup is less about paddling and more about kite surfing if you’re into that. Too big and too messy for a safe, fun surf.

The week after remains oversized. Monday the 17th has 8ft to 10ft cross-shore slop – not good. Tuesday the 18th through Wednesday the 19th are still 10ft to 12ft, but winds turn offshore. It’s clean, but it’s way over everyone’s head. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s likely closing out. The energy is strong to very strong, with readings around 2000 to 3700. Unless you’re a charger, give it a miss.

The good news is things settle down from Thursday the 20th. The swell drops to a friendly 7ft in the morning, easing to 6ft by the afternoon. The wind goes light offshore, and we get excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is the other standout of the window – proper waves, clean faces, and that SW groundswell holding its shape. Friday the 21st is still good, with 5ft to 5ft, offshore breezes, and good consistency.

The final weekend and into the following week, the swell eases further. Saturday the 22nd has a clean 4ft with a moderate offshore – fun but smaller. Then Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th see it fade to under 3ft and the wind swings onshore again, so it fizzles out.

So, to sum it up: get on it Tuesday the 11th, and definitely mark Friday the 14th and Thursday the 20th as your best bets. The weekend of the 16th and 17th is a pass. It’s a classic winter run – a bit of patience, and you’ll be rewarded.

Rusty.

Read more