Raglan-Manu Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming up at Manu Bay.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a solid run of surf on the horizon, but the first few days are a bit of a mixed bag. The swell is there, but the wind isn't playing ball for the most part. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so you won't need a steamer, but a spring suit won't go astray.

We kick off on Monday the 24th of August with a strong 12 ft to 10 ft WSW groundswell, but it's got a cross wind on it, making things a bit lumpy and the conditions are marginal. The wave energy is pumping though (4957), so there’s plenty of power, but it's not going to be clean. Tuesday the 25th is similar, dropping a touch in size to 8 ft, but still choppy. Things ease off a bit for Wednesday and Thursday the 27th, when we finally get a window of cleaner conditions. Thursday morning is the one to aim for in this first week, with a lighter 5 ft WSW swell and an offshore NW breeze. It’s only light, but the wind is off it, so the face should be clean. The wave energy has dropped to a moderate 744, but for a point break like Manu Bay, that's plenty.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. Friday the 28th through the weekend is pretty ordinary, with increasing NE cross winds and showers. The swell is small and the conditions are poor. In fact, Sunday the 30th is a write-off with a fresh 19 mph cross wind and lumpy cross-chop. It's looking more like a day for the kites than the longboards.

But hold on to your leggies, because the real deal is shaping up for the first week of September. Monday the 31st of August shows a change for the better with a clean, cross-off S wind and a small 3 ft swell. The sets should be smooth.

Now for the standouts. You want to be in the water on Thursday the 3rd of September. The morning session is looking prime with a clean, gentle offshore breeze from the ESE and a solid 10 ft W swell. The period is a bit short at 9 seconds, but the wind and the wave energy (1552) will make for some punchy, fun waves. This is for the experienced crew, it’s a big one.

However, the absolute pick of the whole 16 days has to be Friday the 4th of September. The morning is showing a clean cross-off wind from the East with an 12 ft WSW groundswell and a long, juicy 16 second period. The wave energy is massive (5341), and the conditions are forecast as excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon glass-off! That’s the cherry on top. The wind drops to zero – glassy conditions – with a still solid 8 ft swell. That is about as perfect as it gets for a point break. Manu Bay is going to be a freight train that day.

After that, the surf starts to wind down a bit for the second week, but it keeps rolling. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th still offer clean 6 ft to 4 ft waves with cross-off winds, perfect for a longboard. The real kicker is Monday the 7th of September. Another clean day with a cross-off breeze and a long period 6 ft groundswell from the WSW. The wave energy is strong again (1575). It’s looking like another excellent day for the experienced surfer.

So to sum it up, the start of the period is a bit rough around the edges. Get through that for the gems. Thursday the 3rd is great, but do not miss the Friday the 4th and the following Monday the 7th. Those are the days to call in sick.

Stay stoked.
Rusty.

Read more