Salamumu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look-see at what’s coming.

The first real swell window shows up around August 12 with a moderate groundswell from the S, right on 4ft. The period is a nice 12 seconds, so there’s some proper energy behind it – we’re talking moderate wave energy (780). But the wind is a letdown. That ESE breeze is sitting cross-shore at 18 mph, and the conditions are poor. It’s a lumpy, cross-chop situation. Not clean, not fun.

Moving into Thursday the 13th, the swell drops a fraction to 4ft, still from the SSE with a similar period. The wind stays cross-shore and 15 mph, so Thursday morning is still poor. The afternoon improves slightly on the wave comment – it’s now “marginal” due to questionable tide conditions, but that cross-chop is still there. Nothing to get excited about.

Friday the 14th sees the swell drop right down to 3ft and then 2ft in the afternoon, but the wind swings cross-onshore, making it choppy. That’s a write-off. Saturday and Sunday the 15th and 16th stay small with moderate cross-shore wind; the swell is from the SW with a very long 16-18 second period. That long period stuff tends to wall up and be a bit straight at reef setups unless the tide and bank are perfect. Still, the conditions are “poor” for most of it. Sunday afternoon the 16th edges into “marginal” but it’s small and cross.

Monday the 17th, early morning gives us a bit of hope. The wind goes cross-offshore, 18 mph from the E, and the swell is 3ft from the SW at 16 seconds. The wave comment says “clean.” That’s the first moment in this run where it looks like you might catch a decent, lined-up wave, even if it’s not big. Still, it’s on the smaller side for a reef that likes size, and the crowd factor is possible.

Tuesday the 18th has the biggest swell so far: 5ft from the SW, 16-second period, moderate wave energy (1134). But that cross-onshore wind in the afternoon spoils it, and the morning is marked as marginal with cross-shore all over it. Too messy.

Then the 20th of August sees a 10ft monster from the SSE with 14 seconds – very strong wave energy (6059) – but it’s cross-onshore with 22-25 mph winds, absolutely messy. You’d need a jet ski and a death wish. That kind of size at an exposed reef like Salamumu, with that wind, is a hard pass.

From the 21st to the 23rd, we’re sitting on 5ft to 7ft swells from the S and SSE, but the wind is always cross or cross-onshore, fresh. The scores are low. Saturday the 22nd afternoon is “marginal” again, but the chop is lurking.

Finally, Sunday the 23rd afternoon gives a little glimmer: 5ft from the S with a 13-second period, and the wind finally goes cross-off from the ENE at 12 mph. The wave comment is “clean.” This is the best option in the entire outlook, but it’s still not a standout. The crowd at Salamumu can be present, so expect some company if you go.

After that, Monday the 24th is gentle and marginal, then from the 25th through the 27th, it all fades back to tiny, messy cross-onshore junk. The 27th afternoon has a tiny 1ft SW swell with a long 18-second period, but the wind is direct cross-onshore. Barely a ripple.

Verdict: If you’re desperate, the clean window on Monday morning the 17th or Sunday afternoon the 23rd of August is your best bet. Otherwise, this is a long, frustrating run of poor conditions. The first week is a write-off due to wind, and the second week has size but no quality. Hang in there.

- Rusty

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