Tainohama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it. The forecast starts a bit slow for Tainohama, but there’s some serious firepower waiting for us if we're patient. This is a reef break that’s best for advanced surfers, so beginners, sit this one out for a while.

The water temp is running about average for this time of year, nothing crazy to report there. The early part of the run is pretty grim. From Saturday the 12th right through to Tuesday the 15th, we’ve got weak, onshore slop with combined swell energy struggling to hit even 200 (212 max). Forget it. That’s a solid 4-day gap of poor surf.

We finally get a little hope Wednesday the 16th morning. Swell drops to 3 ft from the ESE, period a weak 9 seconds, but the wind goes glassy – dead calm and light rain. Combined energy is a meager 106, so it’s clean but gutless. Worth a paddle if you’re desperate for a trim.

Now, Thursday the 17th morning starts to wake up. Swell bumps to 4 ft from the ESE, period 7 seconds, but the real story is the glassy conditions. Combined energy jumps to 224 and the score reflects genuinely good surf. The afternoon holds similar vibes, 4 ft and glassy. This is where the week starts to get interesting.

But the standout. The absolute highlight. That’s Friday the 18th morning. We’ve got 4 ft of swell from the SE, hitting with a *very long* 18-second period. That’s proper groundswell, packing a punch with combined energy at 1755. The wind is light offshore from the N. For a reef setup like Tainohama, this is prime. Because of that super long period, it’ll line up beautifully on the reef, holding its shape, with long lulls between sets making the paddle out manageable. This is excellent for experienced surfers.

Saturday the 19th morning is next-level but only for the experts. Swell pumps up to 15 ft from the SE, period 15 seconds. That’s massive. Combined energy is a staggering 8766. The wind is light cross-off from the NE. This is exceptional, but it’s a dangerous, heavy day. The afternoon gets even bigger at 16 ft (energy 16923), but the call is it’s just too big for this break.

Sunday the 20th calms down a bit: 10 ft in the morning from the SE, period 12 seconds, with a light cross-off breeze. Still heavy, still for experts only. The afternoon drops to 8 ft from the S with a 14-second period, cleaner with cross-off wind.

Then we hit a wall. Monday the 21st brings onshore gales. 10 ft swell, but it’s messy junk. That lasts through Tuesday the 22nd with onshore wind over 25 mph. Not worth looking at.

Things clean up again Wednesday the 23rd morning. Offshore wind from the NW, 13 ft swell from the SSW with an 11-second period. Combined energy at 5057. That’s another expert-only session with clean, powerful lines. The afternoon goes small but clean: 4 ft from the SE with a 16-second period and offshore wind.

The last run from Thursday the 24th through to Sunday the 27th September is all big, clean swell, but the wave comment flags it as marginal due to tide or conditions. Thursday morning has 8 ft from the SE at 16 seconds, cross-off wind, combined energy 3252. Friday the 26th morning sees 15 ft from the SE at 17 seconds with cross-off wind – energy over 10000. All of this is expert territory. The final check on Sunday the 27th morning shows 8 ft from the ESE at 14 seconds, light cross-off and clean, a solid finisher.

Honestly, the absolute best on offer is Friday the 18th morning. That combination of solid groundswell, long period, and offshore wind on a reef is a gem. For the true big-wave crew, Saturday the 19th morning is the epic, dangerous standout. Keep an eye on the 23rd as well for another clean, powerful window.

Rusty.

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