Salamumu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what the next couple of weeks are shaping up like for Salamumu. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so we gotta pick our moments.

The water temperature is sitting at 81°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year – no surprises there.

First up, we gotta get through a rough patch. From Friday the 11th right through to Sunday the 20th, it’s mostly cross-onshore breezes and choppy conditions. The swell is there, but the wind’s got it all messed up. The combined swell energy is moderate to strong, hitting values like 442, but with the wind smashing it, those waves will be a battle. We’ve got a few mornings with that clean look on the 15th and 16th, with cross-offshore winds and swell around 6 ft to 7 ft from the SSW. The energy is strong (2234 and 2804), so there’s some push, but the quality is only marginal – a bit of a tease, really. Not the kind of stuff you’d paddle out for.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 17th afternoon is a real standout. The wind drops right out – glassy conditions with a light breeze from the ENE at just 3 mph. The swell is coming from the south at 4 ft with a period of 13 seconds, giving it some decent shape and push. The energy is strong at 1218, and with the clean, glassy surface, this is an excellent session for experienced surfers. This is the one you want to circle on the calendar.

After a couple of quieter days, Sunday the 20th afternoon looks like another beauty. The wind goes calm, absolutely glassy, with a 3 ft SW swell and a period of 15 seconds – that’s a nice, long groundswell. The combined energy is 556, which is moderate, but for a reef like Salamumu, that long period is prime. It’ll lull between sets but the waves will have proper shape.

Then Monday the 21st rolls in with style. Morning and afternoon both score excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Offshore winds from the north in the morning at 12 mph, and then a clean cross-offshore in the arvo. The swell builds to 4 ft–5 ft from the SW with a long period of 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, with strong energy (1552 and 1788). For a reef break that’s exposed to a good swell direction, this is as good as it gets – clean, powerful lines for those who know what they’re doing.

Unfortunately, after that high, it turns ugly again. From Tuesday the 22nd all the way through to Saturday the 26th, it’s back to fresh cross-onshore winds and lumpy, choppy surf. The swell sticks around but the wind just ruins it – scores are a flat zero. Not worth the paddle.

So, to sum it up: the standout window is Thursday afternoon the 17th through Monday the 21st. The absolute pick of the bunch is Monday the 21st – that long period SW groundswell with clean winds will be firing. The glassy Sunday afternoon the 20th is a close second. For the rest of the 16-day run, it’s mostly a write-off, so pick your moment and don’t waste your energy on the windy days.

Rusty.

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