Raneika Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here with the imperial version. Let's break down what's cookin' at Raneika Beach.

Right off the bat, this spot's got a bit of a split personality over the next couple of weeks. The surf is pretty ordinary for the first week or so, with a couple of solid pulses lurking further out. A solid S groundswell rolls in for Saturday September 12th and Sunday the 13th, which looks like the main event, but be warned - that Saturday afternoon bump brings some serious energy (10,048) and it's pushing 12 ft, which is expert-only territory.

Let's run through it. Thursday September 3rd has a clean 5 ft S swell with a 13-second period and moderate energy (843), but the cross-off wind keeps it tidy. Water temp is running at 54°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll want a thick wetsuit. Surf quality is only marginal both morning and afternoon, so it's a bit of a paddling session rather than anything to get excited about.

Friday September 4th is a write-off with poor conditions and hardly any size. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are surfable but very ordinary - tiny waves, mostly under 3 ft, with weak energy. Monday the 7th morning has a tiny NE windswell, but the afternoon gets interesting: a solid 10 ft S swell slams in with strong energy (1,537) but the wind is howling at 25 mph, making it a messy, howling proposition. Not the day.

Tuesday the 8th is poor. Wednesday the 9th has a glassy morning with tiny 3 ft SSE swell - clean but small. Thursday the 10th is tiny and weak. Friday the 11th, however, starts to show some life: morning has 6 ft S swell with moderate energy (713), and the afternoon is where it gets good - 5 ft S, clean, moderate offshore wind, and the comment says "expect very good surf conditions." That's a solid window.

Now the real standout: Saturday September 12th afternoon. Massive 12 ft SSW swell with a very long 16-second period and insane energy (10,048). This is for experts only. The wind is cross-off but fresh, so it will be raw and powerful. If you've got the experience and the board, this is one of those days you'll remember. Sunday the 13th morning is also excellent - 7 ft S swell, 12-second period, clean offshore wind. Still expert territory, but slightly more manageable.

Monday the 14th is a nice clean 4 ft S swell with gentle offshore wind - a good day for a wider range of surfers. Tuesday the 15th is poor and windy again. Wednesday the 16th afternoon has another big pulse: 7 ft S swell with a very long 15-second period and strong energy (2,054), with clean offshore wind. Excellent for experienced surfers. Thursday the 17th morning is also decent at 7 ft but with strong offshore wind - paddle-out will be a challenge.

The long-range Thursday the 17th afternoon and Friday the 18th are a mess - near gale force winds or cross-off howlers with messy, big period SSW swell. Not recommended.

So the pick of the run: Friday September 11th afternoon for a solid, clean S swell at 5 ft with offshore breeze - best mix of size and quality for competent surfers. And for the big dogs, Saturday September 12th afternoon and Sunday the 13th morning at Raneika Beach are the experts' choice - powerful, long-period S groundswell with excellent conditions, but respect the size.

Rusty.

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