Raglan-Manu Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead for Manu Bay, so let’s get into it.

We kick things off on Tuesday, July 28th, with a real treat. The bay is waking up to glassy conditions, a light 3 mph easterly breeze, and a clean 5 ft swell out of the WSW. The period is a healthy 12 seconds, giving the waves some real push. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no wetsuit surprises. This is classic Manu Bay - clean lines and that long, peeling left. The combined energy is moderate at 497, and it’s just about as good as it gets for a Tuesday morning session. The afternoon holds up too, with a slight drop to 4 ft but still glassy.

Wednesday, July 29th, sees the swell drop to 3 ft in the morning. The wind is a cross-offshore, so it’s still clean, but the energy is lower. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a light cross-on breeze, making it more of a grovel session.

Thursday, July 30th, the swell bumps back up to 5 ft with a long 14-second period, which means proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong at 735. However, the wind is a cross-shore in the morning, and by the afternoon, it turns onshore with rain showers, so the quality drops off. Friday, July 31st, is a write-off. A strong 19 mph cross-onshore wind chops up a solid 8 ft to 10 ft swell. The combined energy hits 1392 and 1889, showing some serious power, but the wind just ruins it. The beach and reef setup would be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Now, Saturday, August 1st, is a big one. The swell is a massive 13 ft with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is off the charts at 6247. This is serious, serious power. The wind is a cross-shore, so it’s not clean, but for an expert, this is a once-in-a-while test of nerve. The afternoon improves slightly as the wind drops to a light breeze, making it more manageable for the big-wave chargers. This is strictly for experts only.

Sunday, August 2nd, the swell drops to a much more manageable 6 ft, and the wind swings offshore from the ESE. The morning is clean with a combined energy of 1013. This is a fantastic window for a solid Sunday session. The afternoon gets a bit breezy, but still cross-offshore.

Moving into the second week, the pattern stays active. Monday, August 3rd, has a small 3 ft swell but with a *very long* 20-second period, meaning those long, waiting sets. The wind is clean, and the energy is still moderate at 882. Tuesday, August 4th, is a bit tricky with cross-shore winds and a 5 ft swell, not the best.

The standout in the second week is Wednesday, August 5th. The morning delivers an excellent 7 ft swell from the WSW, with a 14-second period and a clean cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is 1634, showing strong, powerful waves. This is a prime session for experienced surfers, and the conditions are clean. The afternoon holds up well too.

The rest of the week sees a gradual drop back down. Thursday, August 6th, offers a clean 4 ft morning with offshore winds. Friday, August 7th, is glassy again with a 3 ft swell. Saturday, August 8th, and Sunday, August 9th, are both clean with small, workable waves. The period stays long, especially on Sunday with a 16-second swell, but the size is only 2 ft to 4 ft.

Monday, August 10th, gives us another very good morning with a 4 ft WSW swell, a 16-second period, and clean conditions. The energy is 688. The trend continues through Tuesday, August 11th, and into Wednesday, August 12th, where the morning looks clean again with a 4 ft swell and a 16-second period.

Overall, the best on offer is the glassy Tuesday 28th July session, and the big, powerful, clean Wednesday 5th August for the experts. Manu Bay is looking like a good bet on and off all the way through.
Rusty

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