Raglan-Manu Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the Manu Bay area.

Alright, look, this is a bit of a mixed bag for the next 16 days. We've got plenty of swell, that's for sure, but the wind is going to be our biggest enemy for most of it. We're looking at a solid run of days that are just blown out. The water is sitting at 57°, which is right where it should be for this time of year, so nothing to complain about there.

The first real chance of a surf is on Saturday afternoon, the 29th of August. It's not big, just a 2ft groundswell from the WSW, but the wind is set to go glassy. That's the kind of magic that makes a point break like Manu Bay come alive. The energy is moderate (332), so it won't be a grunt to paddle out, and with the period up at 13 seconds, you'll get those nice, long, lined-up rides. It's a small window, but it's a standout.

We then get slapped by a huge pulse of swell. Sunday the 30th brings 7ft to 7ft, but the wind is a nasty cross-shore, so it's going to be lumpy. The energy is very strong (2715-2876), but it's a mess. This pattern continues into the next week. The swell gets even bigger, hitting 13ft on Monday the 31st of August, with massive energy (3433-5433). This is expert-only territory, and even then, the cross-shore winds are going to make it a battle. The whole first week of September is a write-off for quality surfing at Manu Bay. It's just too much wind and too much size.

The standout for the whole forecast is shaping up to be Wednesday morning, the 9th of September. The swell is a solid 7ft from the WSW, with a strong energy reading of 1783. But the wind is forecast to be dead calm, glassy. That's a rare combination for this size. The swell direction is a perfect match for the optimum, and the period of 13 seconds means long, powerful lines. It's a bit big for beginners, but for experienced surfers on a point break, this is the day to circle. The only downside? It's a long way off, so keep your fingers crossed that the forecast holds. Crowds are likely at a spot like this, especially on a clean day.

So, to sum it up: the next week is mostly a kite-surfing show with the big swell and strong winds. The only real chance for a paddle is that glassy Saturday afternoon (29th August) for some small, clean waves. The real prize is that Wednesday morning (9th September) – a day of potential perfection for those who can handle the size.

Rusty.

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