Tainohama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the coming weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a quiet start. The first few days are flat and not worth paddling out for. We’re looking at a gap of nearly a week before any real energy shows up. From Wednesday the 23rd through to late next week, it’s all knee-high slop and very ordinary conditions. You’ll see a few of those days with clean, glassy mornings, but the swell is just too small – 1ft to 1ft – to get excited about. The wind does swing around nicely, with some glassy conditions on the 23rd and 29th, but there’s nothing to push you along.

Things start to shuffle around Thursday the 30th of July. The morning has a bit of a pulse, with a 3ft SSW swell, a long 12 second period, and glassy conditions. The combined wave energy is moderate (244), and it’s the first time we see a score that suggests *good* surf. That’s the one to keep an eye on. The wind is dead calm, so Tainohama (reef) will be clean and lined up. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

But the real standout, the one that’s got my heart thumping, is Sunday the 2nd of August. The morning session is calling for a 3ft SSE swell with a very long 15 second period, and glassy conditions. The combined energy is strong (875). That’s a proper groundswell, and on a reef like Tainohama, it’s going to set up some beautifully shaped, clean lines. The 15 second period means longer waits between sets, but the paddle out will be easier. This is the best on offer in the whole window. The afternoon gets a bit messy with onshore wind and a bigger 6ft swell, but that morning is a gem.

If you’re an expert looking for a real challenge, there’s also a big pulse around Monday the 3rd of August. Swell jumps to 12ft from the SSE, with a 16 second period. That’s a very strong wave energy (6575), and it’s one for experienced surfers only. The wind is onshore though, so it’ll be a bumpy, heavy beast. The following morning, Tuesday the 4th, is glassy again with a 12ft S swell (5330 energy), described as exceptional for experts. Those are big, powerful waves that will be demanding on the reef.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The 30th of July morning is a nice little window. The clear standout is the morning of Sunday the 2nd of August – clean, chest-high, long-period groundswell on a reef. After that, it’s big, expert-only territory. Keep your eyes on that Sunday.

Rusty.

Read more