Raglan-Manu Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Raglan’s Manu Bay over the next couple of weeks.

Alright, straight up – this is a classic case of a world-class left-hander that’s got plenty of size and energy coming through, but the wind is gonna be the main character here for most of the run. The water’s sitting at 57.4°F, which is pretty much spot on average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The opening recommendation hits on Wednesday the 2nd of September, but honestly, it’s a tough start. We’ve got a solid 7.9ft swell from the WSW with a long 14-second period, packing some serious energy – 2218 (strong wave energy) – but the wind is howling out of the WSW at 15.5 mph cross-shore, and it’s lumpy. The afternoon sees the swell drop a touch to 7.2ft, but the wind swings cross-onshore and it’s choppy. It’s a marginal call, and the score is low. Not the day to paddle out unless you’re desperate.

Thursday the 3rd is a little cleaner in the morning, with a 9.3 mph WNW wind, but it’s still cross-onshore and fairly choppy. Swell is 5.2ft from the WSW at 15 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell – and energy is 1088 (moderate). The afternoon turns offshore with a WNW breeze, but the swell is still 5.2ft and the period drops to 14 seconds. Still marginal.

Friday the 4th is a write-off. Strong NW winds at 21.7 mph onshore in the morning, and then a messy 18.6 mph W cross-onshore in the afternoon with a 9.8ft swell from the W at a short 10 seconds. That’s big, but it’s lumpy and poor. Kite surfers might be eyeing this one up more than paddle surfers.

Saturday the 5th is a bit of a tease. Morning has 7.5ft from the WSW at 14 seconds, with a WSW cross-breeze at 9.3 mph – moderate energy at 2354 (strong). The afternoon pumps up to 8.2ft and 2772 (strong), but the wind goes cross-onshore and choppy. Still marginal.

Sunday the 6th sees a big 8.2ft swell from the W at a long 16 seconds – that’s very long period groundswell, and the energy is massive at 3431 (very strong). But the wind is a cross-onshore NNE breeze, so it’s fairly choppy. The morning gets a 3/10 – the best score so far – but it’s still far from perfect. The afternoon is a write-off again.

Monday the 7th is more of the same: big 9.8ft swells, but the wind is nasty. The afternoon has a SW cross-breeze at 12.4 mph, but the swell drops to 10 seconds and it’s messy. Tuesday the 8th is marginal at best, with 8.2ft and 7.2ft swells, but the wind is cross-shore and cross-chop all day.

Now, Wednesday the 9th is the first real glimmer of hope. The morning sees a 6.2ft swell from the WSW at 10 seconds, with a light N breeze at just 3.1 mph – that’s a light cross-onshore, so only small wind ripples. Energy is 848 (moderate). The score is a 3/10 – not a standout, but it’s the most promising session so far. The afternoon goes back to choppy.

Then we hit a bit of a gap. Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th are both absolute shockers – strong winds, rain, and lumpy, messy conditions. The swell is still there, but the wind is a nightmare. Saturday the 12th is the one you’ve been waiting for. The morning is glassy – 0 mph wind from the SSW – with a 8.2ft swell from the WSW at a very long 17 seconds. That’s 3642 (very strong wave energy). The score is a 4/10 – excellent for experienced surfers. This is the standout of the whole forecast. The afternoon stays clean with a light W breeze at 6.2 mph and a 7.9ft swell at 16 seconds – 2901 (strong). This is the morning to be out there, no question.

After that, it drops off again. Sunday the 13th is poor, Monday the 14th is marginal with 7.5ft and 6.9ft swells but cross-shore winds, and the rest of the run through to Thursday the 17th is mostly marginal to poor, with the wind picking up again. The standout is the glassy morning of Saturday the 12th – mark it in your

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