Taapuna Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about Taapuna, a solid reef break out here. The next couple weeks have some big ups and downs, but the first few days are pretty much a bust. The real swell starts to show up next week, and there are a couple days that’ll get the blood pumping.

Saturday the 22nd is a dud. Swell at 7ft from the SSW, 14-second period, cross-shore wind at 22 mph, lumpy and choppy. Combined energy is 2362 – moderate to strong, but conditions are poor. Score zero.

Sunday the 23rd morning shows some life. Swell jumps to 10ft from the SSW, period 16 seconds – that’s long-period groundswell. Wind is cross-offshore at 16 mph, clean. Energy is 4065 (strong). But it’s still marginal, likely tide issues. By afternoon, the swell builds to 12ft from the S, same 16-second period, wind picks up to 22 mph but still cross-off and clean. Energy hits 6432 (very strong). This is big – over 8ft, so experts only. Could be the standout of the week.

Monday the 24th fades. Morning has 10ft S swell, 14 seconds, strong cross-off wind at 25 mph. Afternoon drops to 7ft SSE, 13 seconds, still windy. Both days marginal.

Tuesday the 25th drops under 7ft, cross-shore wind, lumpy. Not worth it.

Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are small and clean but weak – under 4ft swell, energy around 500-600 (weak). Friday the 28th is messy cross-shore wind again.

Now the real deal. Saturday the 29th of August morning: Taapuna is firing. Swell 12ft from the SSW, period a massive 17 seconds (very long groundswell), cross-off wind at 25 mph, clean. Energy is 6211 (very strong). Big, clean, powerful – over 8ft, experts only. That afternoon is similar, 12ft SSW, 16 seconds, still clean. Sunday the 30th is also solid: 12ft from the S, 16 seconds, clean cross-off wind at 25 mph, energy 6566 (very strong). Two days of heavy, lined-up reef waves. This is the standout period.

Monday the 1st of September drops to 8ft SSW, still clean, energy 2124 (moderate). Tuesday the 2nd fades under 5ft. Wednesday the 3rd sees a small SW swell at 4ft but with an 18-second period and offshore wind at 19 mph – clean, could surprise. Thursday the 4th is another little gem: 5ft SSW, 17 seconds, offshore wind at 12 mph, excellent for experienced surfers. Energy 2164 (moderate). Clean, offshore, long-period groundswell.

Friday the 5th has onshore wind, skip it. The weekend of the 5th and 6th is back to cross-shore winds and lumpy, small swell.

Water temp is 80° with a tiny anomaly of +0.9°, so about average.

Best on offer: Sunday the 23rd afternoon and Saturday the 29th through Sunday the 30th. The 29th morning is the true standout – 12ft SSW, 17-second period, clean cross-off wind, massive energy. Only for experts. Crowds are possible at Taapuna, so get in early.

Rusty.

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