Raneika Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, let’s get into it. I’m looking at the next stretch for Raneika Beach, a reef break that’s fairly exposed and picks up swell from the SE. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag with some decent swell but the conditions aren’t quite locking in. The standout window is building towards the end of the first week and into the second week, with a couple of sessions that are going to be proper.

Let’s start with Tuesday, July 28. Morning has a 8ft swell from the SE, period 13 seconds, with a cross-off wind. There’s a lot of energy in the water (2008), but it’s a bit marginal with the tide. The afternoon drops slightly to 8ft, still a lot of energy (1804), but the wind goes cross, making it a bit messy. Not the best.

Wednesday, July 29, looks better. Morning: 6ft from the ESE, 13 seconds, with a light NW cross-off – clean and good energy (1160). This is a solid session. The afternoon is a step down with a cross-on wind and 6ft, so morning is the call.

Thursday, July 30, morning is another good one. 5ft from the ESE, 12 seconds, light NW cross-off, clean, and moderate energy (731). The wind stays offshore all day, but the afternoon sees a bump in wind speed, so again, morning wins.

Friday, July 31, the swell drops to 3ft, but the wind is strong cross-off – it’s clean but small and weak (348), not really worth it.

Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, are a write-off. Swell is tiny on Saturday with a 16-second period that’s too long to wrap into the beach break properly, and Sunday, August 2, jumps up to 8ft with 10-second period, but the wind is howling at 18-28 mph – that’s kite-surfing territory, not for the paddle crew.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday, August 2, afternoon has a 12ft swell from the S, but it’s blowing 28 mph – too big and too windy for a safe paddle. Monday, August 3, drops to 8ft in the morning, still a bit rough, but the afternoon on Monday, August 3, is a gem: 6ft from the SSE, 11 seconds, light SSW cross-off, clean, and good energy (1088). That’s a solid session.

The real standout is Tuesday, August 4. The morning has a 5ft swell from the SSW, but the period is a massive 18 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is pumping (1731), and with a light NW cross-off, it’s going to be beautiful. For a reef break like this, that long period will groom into some proper, powerful lines. The afternoon is a bit smaller with a cross wind, so morning is the absolute winner.

Wednesday, August 5, morning is weak (3ft), but the afternoon has 6ft from the S with a short 8-second period, so it’s not going to be great shape.

The second big standout is Thursday, August 6. The morning and afternoon both have 12ft from the S, 11 seconds, with cross-off winds. Energy is very high (2498-2633). This is big – over 8ft, so it’s for experts only. The reef should handle it, but pick your moment.

Friday, August 7, morning is a solid 8ft from the S, 12 seconds, cross-off, clean, and excellent energy (2139). Another expert session.

Sunday, August 9, morning is a beautiful one: 8ft from the S, 15 seconds, with a light offshore from the WNW. That’s going to be glassy, clean, and powerful (2253). This is a top-tier session if you’re skilled.

After that, the swell fades. Monday, August 10, morning has 5ft from the SSE, 11 seconds, light offshore, and good energy (635) – a nice, manageable session. The rest of the second week is small and ordinary, with a few weak pulses and short periods, not worth rushing out for.

Alright, if you’ve got one session to circle, it’s the morning of Tuesday, August 4 – that 18-second period groundswell with clean winds is going to be something special. Second pick is the morning of Sunday, August 9, for that glassy 15-second swell. The big stuff on August 6 and 7 is for the experienced crew only.

Rusty.

Read more