Rockpile Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it.

We've got a stretch of small, wind-affected surf that's going to have you wondering if the ocean took a day off. The best bet in this window is going to be later on, around the 29th and 30th, but even then, it's not going to be firing. You'll want to keep your expectations in check for most of this run.

We start off in a bit of a lull. The 19th and 20th are looking pretty poor, with weak surf around 3ft. The swell is from the southwest but the winds are cross-onshore, which will put a bit of a chop on it. It's small and messy, not really worth the paddle. The energy is weak too. You're better off doing something else.

Moving into the 21st through the 24th, things stay small and pretty sad. Wave heights hover around 2ft to 3ft. The period does get up around 18-19 seconds on the 23rd and 24th, which means there’s some longer-period groundswell in the water. But it’s still pretty weak, and winds are still cross-onshore. It’s a bit of a tease, to be honest.

The 25th and 26th are much the same. Small 2ft surf and these long 16-second periods. The wind eases off a touch on the afternoon of the 25th, which will take the worst of the chop off it, but it’s still just marginal. You might get a fun little one if you’re desperate, but it’s not a session you’ll be telling your mates about.

Now, here’s where things pick up a little. The 29th and 30th of August are our standout window. The swell bumps up to a consistent 4ft, the energy jumps into the strong range, and the period is still a solid 15-17 seconds. It’s still a south-west swell, and the winds are light and cross-onshore, which isn’t perfect, but it’s the cleanest and most powerful we’ll see in this forecast. Rockpile (Big Island) is the spot here. It’s a consistent reef break, so it should handle this swell. It might not be perfect, but it’s the best on offer. These longer period swells can be a bit straight at some beach breaks, but being a reef, Rockpile will channel it better. Crowds are often here, so you might have some company.

After that little push, we fade back out. The 31st drops back to 3ft, and then into the 1st and 2nd of September, we’re back down to that small 2ft stuff. The winds stay light and cross-onshore. The energy drops back down. It’s not a great way to end the run. The 3rd of September brings some rain, but the surf is still small and uninspiring.

So, to be straight with you: the conditions are pretty average for most of this period. If you’re keen and have time, those few days around the 29th and 30th are definitely your best shout. They’re not perfect, but they’re the only ones that get close. The rest is a waiting game.

This is Rusty, signing off. Keep an eye on it, forecasts can change, but as it stands, be patient.

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