Port Waikato-Sunset beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow burner to start, but there’s some real firepower later on.

Right now, we’ve got a bit of a flat spell kicking things off. Tuesday the 14th is pretty average with a weak 6 ft swell from the WNW at a short 8 seconds, and a light cross breeze. Not worth paddling out for. Wednesday the 15th though, things start to rumble. The swell builds to 8 ft in the morning from the WSW with a very long 17-second period, showing strong wave energy (4497). That’s proper groundswell. It’s a bit cross-on with the wind, and by the afternoon it jumps to 10 ft, which is getting big. For a spot like Port Waikato-Sunset Beach, a beach break, that long period swell can make it close out straight, so I’d be wary. The wind swings onshore, making it messy. This whole Wednesday window is rated as too big for the break.

Thursday the 16th stays big and bumpy with 8 ft swell and rain showers pushing cross-on wind. Friday the 17th is similar – a clean morning with 7 ft cross-shore swell from the SW (period 14 seconds), but the afternoon jumps back to 10 ft. That’s expert territory, and it’s still cross-shore with a chop.

The first standout window appears on Sunday the 19th. Look at this: 10 ft swell from the SW with a 17-second period (4690 energy) and light cross-offshore winds in the morning. That’s about as clean as it gets for this size. It’s big – only for experienced surfers – but the lines will be long and powerful. The afternoon drops to 8 ft with pure offshore wind from the East. That’s the pick of the first week. Consistent, glassy conditions, and the swell direction (SW) is right on the money for the optimum. Port Waikato-Sunset Beach will be pumping, just know crowds are sometimes an issue.

Early Monday the 20th holds clean at 7 ft, still with light offshore breezes. Then from Tuesday the 21st through to Saturday the 25th, the swell backs right off. We’re looking at clean, small waves between 2 ft and 5 ft. Perfect for a longboard or a beginner session, with light offshore winds most days. After the big stuff, this is a nice, mellow run.

We get a second blast of energy on Sunday the 26th. The swell jumps back to 7 ft from the WSW with a 16-second period (2673 energy) and gentle offshore winds in the morning. That’s another clear winner – clean, solid, and well-shaped. It’s not as huge as the 19th, which makes it more manageable for a strong intermediate.

The very end of the run into Tuesday the 29th looks massive, but unreliable. A huge 18 ft swell from the WSW with very strong energy (over 11000) and onshore winds. Absolutely for experts only, and even then, caution is key. The period is 14 seconds so it’ll be powerful, but the wind is not your friend that day.

To sum up: Sunday the 19th is your number one call for a proper, clean, big-wave session. The second standout is Sunday the 26th for solid, manageable size with perfect offshore flow. The first few days of the second week are small and clean for cruising. Be safe out there.

- Rusty

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