Raglan-Manu Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's look at what's coming our way for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got one spot on the radar, and it’s a classic. The forecast is pointing to some good runs of swell, particularly in the first week, with a few days where everything lines up. There’s a noticeable lull in the middle, but the back half of the window might offer a surprise or two, though the winds get messy.

Starting off, Thursday the 14th afternoon is where the stoke starts. We’ve got a clean 5 ft swell with a 13-second period coming from the W, and the wind goes completely glassy (0 mph). That’s a major positive, getting you incredibly clean waves at Raglan-Manu Bay. The combined wave energy is moderate at 953. This is one of the standouts.

Then we roll into Friday the 15th. The morning sees a 4 ft WSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period. That’s powerful, clean energy, with a light cross-off breeze. The energy ramps up to 838. The afternoon gets even better size-wise, hitting 5 ft from the W with that same 16-second period, and the energy is strong at 1160. Just a slight cross-off wind keeps it tidy. This is another standout session.

Saturday the 16th morning is the big one for experienced surfers. You’ve got a 5 ft WSW swell with a massive 17-second period, and the combined energy is strong, at 1633. With a light cross-off breeze, this is peak condition for the point. It’s going to be lined up and powerful. The afternoon jumps to 7 ft, but the wind turns cross-shore and moderate, making it a bit of a battle. The energy is very strong at 2527, but the quality drops with the chop.

Sunday the 17th has 8 ft of WSW swell with that sweet 16-second period holding. The morning is clean with a cross-off breeze, and the energy is very strong at 2977. This is still a big swell for experienced surfers only, as it’s pushing past the 8 ft mark. The afternoon stays similar in size with a little less energy (2731), and it remains clean. Good, heavy surf.

The start of the next week, Monday the 18th, still has plenty of size at 7 ft, but the wind is up to 16 mph. It’s a cross-off wind, so it’s ridable, but it’s not as pristine. The energy is still strong (2147), but by the afternoon the swell drops to 7 ft and the wind stays fresh. It’s a bit of a step down in quality.

Tuesday the 19th sees a drop in size to 5 ft, but it’s clean again in the morning. The energy drops to moderate (746). A good option for a smaller board.

Then we hit the standout of the second week. Wednesday the 20th morning is clean with a cross-off breeze, a 5 ft WSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period. The energy is strong at 1479. This is a beautiful call. Thursday the 21st morning is even more special: glassy conditions, 0 mph wind, and a 5 ft WSW swell with a 14-second period. The energy is 911. That’s serious glass for the point.

After Thursday, we hit a dry spell. The swell drops to 4 ft and the winds get a bit messy with cross-shore and cross-on directions. This lull goes from Friday the 22nd morning all the way through Sunday the 25th. The surf gets small and the wind is on it, making for poor quality.

Monday the 26th morning brings a pulse back with 6 ft of WSW swell, but the wind is cross-shore and the period is a short 13 seconds. The energy is strong (1406), but the wind is lumpy. Tuesday the 27th has similar size, but a fresh 19 mph cross-shore wind ruins it. After that, the forecast gets a bit wild with storms and strong onshore winds, so we’re into messy, blown-out conditions until the end of the window, with the energy still moderate to strong but the quality being poor.

So, if you’re looking for the best, hit it on Thursday the 14th afternoon, Friday the 15th, or Wednesday the 20th morning. They are the true standouts.

Rusty.

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