Taapuna Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, same picture, different numbers. The water is 80°F, which is right on the average for this time of year.

The whole forecast is all about a series of big, long-period south and south-southwest swells, but the wind is going to be the main topic. The standout session, the one you want to circle, is Sunday, August 23rd. We’ve got a solid 12 ft south swell with a very long 16-second period, the combined energy is massive at 7158, and it’s looking at some clouds with a cross-off wind. That means clean, powerful, and proper. Taapuna is the spot, an exposed reef that’s very consistent. This is advanced territory at that size, so only experienced crew should be looking at it. The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so it’ll be busy, but not a total zoo.

The swell backs off a touch on Monday, August 24th, to 10 ft and 14 seconds, but the wind picks up to a strong breeze, 25 mph. It’s still cross-off, so it’s clean, but the energy is still huge (4019). It’s a step down, but still a high-quality day for the advanced surfer.

From Tuesday, August 25th, the swell drops to 4 ft, and the wind shifts to a cross-shore, creating some chop. The results drop off fast. We then go through a stretch of days with poor conditions, strong winds, and messy seas. The wind is a constant, strong cross-off or cross-shore, and the swell is either too small or too chopped up.

Then, on Saturday, August 29th, the next big pulse arrives. We’re back to an 12 ft south swell with a 16-second period, and the energy is back up to 7170. The wind is a strong cross-off, keeping it clean. This is a second standout day, but it’s a week out, so keep an eye on the forecasts. The next day, Sunday, August 30th, is also a solid 10 ft to 12 ft day, but the wind is a bit more onshore.

After that, the swell fades through the end of August and into the first week of September. The first couple of days of September, the 1st and 2nd, see a drop to 3 ft and 2 ft, but the wind finally goes light and offshore on the 2nd. That’s a tiny, clean day for the longboarders. The swell then picks up again from September 3rd, with a 6 ft to 8 ft pulse from the SSW, but the wind is a fresh cross-off, keeping it clean but a bit lumpy. That pattern holds through the 6th, with a consistent 7 ft to 8 ft SSW swell, but the wind is a constant 22 to 25 mph cross-off, so it’s not going to be perfect.

The final days of the forecast, the 7th, have a smaller 4 ft to 5 ft swell, but the wind is still strong at 25 mph. Not a great way to finish.

So, the big picture: This is a two-strike series. The first is this Sunday, August 23rd, and the second is the following Saturday, August 29th. Both are massive, long-period, clean groundswells at Taapuna. The rest of the time is either too small, too windy, or a bit of both. September 2nd is a tiny, clean outlier for the mellow crew. The wind is the main issue; it’s blowing strong almost the entire time. For the big days, it’s a serious paddle, but the waves will be world-class.

Rusty.

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