Tainohama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, this 16-day window for Tainohama starts a bit slow, but there are a couple of windows that will get the heart pumping, especially when a proper groundswell rolls in late in the run. Let’s break it down.

We kick off on Tuesday the 8th of September with a clean 5ft S swell pushing in, a solid 9-second period, and cross-off light airs from the ENE. The water’s sitting at 83°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year—nice and comfortable. The combined energy is solid at 509—moderate—and the morning session is looking very good indeed. It’s not huge, but it’s clean and rideable. The afternoon gets a bit ordinary with a 6ft SSE swell and an onshore breeze, so make the most of that morning.

Wednesday the 9th is a write-off: the morning jumps to 10ft SSE swell, but it’s cross-on and howling at 16 mph from the south. That’s too big for most and ugly. The afternoon drops to 8ft, but it’s still cross-on and short-period. Skip it.

Thursday the 10th brings a smaller 4ft SSE swell with a strong N offshore at 16 mph in the morning. Clean waves, but ordinary quality—just average. The afternoon is similar with a lighter offshore, still small.

Friday the 11th is worth a look: 3ft to 4ft SSE swell, clean, and with light N winds going offshore in the afternoon. Good, clean, small waves for a fun session.

Saturday the 12th drops right off: 2ft in the morning, 2ft by the afternoon. Not much happening.

Sunday the 13th is flat—2ft to 2ft. Don’t bother.

Then on Monday the 14th, we get a surprise: 5ft ESE swell with glassy conditions in the morning—dead calm, clean as a whistle. Combined energy of 528, moderate. That’s a lovely morning surf. The afternoon turns cross-on and messy, so again, get in early.

Tuesday the 15th through Wednesday the 16th is small and average: 3ft to 4ft ESE swells, with some glassy windows on Wednesday morning and afternoon, but it’s weak.

Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th are tiny—2ft to 2ft—not worth paddling out.

Then, here’s where it gets serious. After a gap of a few days of small stuff, from Sunday the 20th onward, the swell really fires up. Sunday morning sees a 4ft SE swell, but here’s the kicker: the period is a massive 20 seconds—that’s very long-period groundswell. Combined energy is 1197, strong. The wind is cross-off from the north at 19 mph, so it’ll be clean, but that long period can make beach breaks tricky—it’ll be best if the reef at Tainohama can handle it. By Sunday afternoon, the swell jumps to 7ft SE with a 19-second period, and energy is pumping at 3277—strong. Still clean.

Monday the 21st of September is the true standout. Morning: 12ft SE swell, 18-second period, offshore north winds at 22 mph, clean, and combined energy of 8157—very strong. This is for expert surfers only; way too big for beginners. The afternoon gets even bigger: 13ft SE, 18 seconds, 9827 energy, fresh offshore. This is as good as it gets here—big, clean, powerful. Expect it to be crowded if it gets out—Tainohama is “sometimes” crowded, and a swell like this will bring everyone.

Tuesday the 22nd still pumps: morning 10ft ESE with 16-second period and offshore NNW at 12 mph, energy at 5352. Still big, but dropping. Afternoon is 8ft ESE, same period, clean but more manageable for experienced surfers.

Wednesday the 23rd fades fast: 3ft ESE with a 12-second period, and still clean but weak. Back to small stuff.

Best on offer: Monday the 21st of September morning—12ft S/SE from the south-east, clean offshore wind, very strong energy, and that groundswell will wrap into the reef beautifully. If you’re an expert, that’s your window. Second spot is the Tuesday morning on the 22nd—still big and clean, just a notch down.

No other break in the data for this region.

Rusty.

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