Raglan-Manu Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Right off the bat, we’ve got a solid pulse of swell for the first weekend. Saturday the 1st of August is looking like the standout for the whole period, no question. Manu Bay is a classic point break, and it’s going to be handling a good-sized, long-period groundswell from the WSW. Saturday morning, we’re looking at a solid 10 ft swell with a 13-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the east at 6 mph. That’s clean, powerful surf – the combined energy is pumping at 2846 (moderate to strong wave energy). Water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. This is expert territory at that size, but it’s prime for those who can handle it. Saturday afternoon eases a touch to 8 ft, still clean, still excellent. Crowds can be a thing here, but with that size, it’ll thin out the pack.

Now, Sunday the 2nd of August morning is a real treat. The swell drops to 4 ft from the WSW, but the wind goes glassy – dead calm. That’s a major positive. The period is a nice 11 seconds, and combined energy is 446 (moderate). That’s going to be clean, user-friendly waves for the experienced crew. It’s a nice change of pace after the Saturday thumpers.

After that, we hit a bit of a lull. Sunday afternoon through Tuesday the 4th of August, the wind goes cross or cross-shore, and the conditions get lumpy. The swell is still around, but the quality drops. Monday the 3rd of August has a 19-second period swell at 3 ft, but the wind is screaming from the WSW at 16 mph, creating a nasty cross-chop. That’s not for paddling.

We get a little window on Wednesday the 5th of August morning. The swell is 5 ft from the WSW, 14-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the east at 6 mph. Clean waves, combined energy at 917 (moderate). It’s a good session, but not quite the standout of the first weekend.

From Thursday the 6th of August through to the start of the second week, the surf tapers off. The swell drops to under 3 ft, and while the wind is often clean, the waves are just too small for anything exciting. There’s a gap of several days here with no real recommendations.

Then, we’ve got a promising but less certain run for the second week. Monday the 10th of August and Tuesday the 11th of August, the wind is clean cross-off, but the swell is only around 3 ft to 3 ft – not enough to get excited about. The real interest picks up from Friday the 14th of August afternoon. We see a 4 ft swell from the WSW with a 17-second period, and combined energy jumps to 1292 (moderate). The wind is a bit fresh from the ENE at 19 mph, though, so it’s a bit bumpy.

Saturday the 15th of August morning has a 5 ft swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is a gentle cross-shore from the NE, creating a slight chop. Not ideal.

The best of the second week looks like Sunday the 16th of August morning. The swell is 5 ft from the WSW, 14-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the ENE at 9 mph. Combined energy is 998 (moderate). That’s clean, decent-sized surf for experienced surfers. The afternoon sees a jump to 8 ft with a 15-second period, but the wind goes light cross-shore – still rideable, but the morning window is the pick.

Overall, the first weekend is the clear winner. Saturday the 1st of August and Sunday the 2nd of August morning are the best on offer. The second week has some potential, but it’s less certain and the conditions are more mixed. Keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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