Tainohama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what Tainohama's got cooking.

Right off the bat, the next few days are a bit of a write-off. We’ve got some small, weak swell coming in from the southeast, but the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, and the surf quality is just poor. The combined energy is barely ticking over (52 to 170) – that’s weak stuff. Not worth paddling out for.

Things start to look up on Tuesday, 15 September. The morning goes glassy, calm as, and we get a bump of 4 ft from the southeast with a 9-second period. The combined energy climbs to 271, so it’s got a bit of push, and the conditions are clean. That’s your first real chance for a session, but it’s nothing special – just a fun little window before the wind swings onshore again in the afternoon.

Wednesday, 16 September morning also goes glassy, but the swell drops to 3 ft. It’s surfable, but ordinary. Not the day to get excited about.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Friday, 18 September morning, the wind goes cross-off from the north, and we see a jump in swell to 5 ft from the east-southeast. Combined energy is 346 – moderate, but the conditions are clean. That afternoon, the swell ramps up to 7 ft from the east, but the wind gets cross-onshore and the energy spikes to 1181. That’s a lot of juice, but the combo of size and onshore wind makes it messy.

Saturday, 19 September is the standout. Morning session: 7 ft east-southeast swell with a very long 17-second period, clean cross-off wind from the north-northeast, and combined energy at 3105. That’s groundswell, and it’s going to be powerful. The afternoon gets bigger – 13 ft east-southeast swell – but the wind goes cross-onshore, so the morning is the pick. This is expert territory at 7 ft with that period; the reef will be firing, but it’s going to be heavy. Expect a crew out there; Tainohama can get a few people.

Sunday, 20 September is massive. Morning has 13 ft southeast swell with cross-off wind – energy is 5565. Afternoon, 13 ft southeast swell with a 14-second period and cross-off wind from the north-northeast, energy at 8598. That’s exceptional surf, but only for experts. This is big, powerful groundswell on a reef. Not a day for the faint-hearted.

Monday, 21 September peaks: 20 ft southeast swell in the morning, 14-second period, energy at 13419. That’s a monster. Cross-off wind keeps it semi-clean, but this is for the absolute elite. Afternoon drops to 18 ft but goes cross-onshore.

After that, the plug gets pulled. From Tuesday, 22 September, the swell nosedives, the wind turns onshore, and we’re back to small, weak, poor surf for nearly a week. Combined energy drops to single digits and low hundreds.

Saturday, 27 September afternoon shows some promise again: 4 ft southeast swell, glassy conditions, and combined energy at 540. That’s a clean, fun-sized wave for a Sunday session. Then Monday, 28 September morning sees a 7 ft south-southeast swell with a long 14-second period, cross-off wind from the northeast, and energy at 1751. That’s a solid, clean groundswell for experienced surfers – a nice way to wrap up the 16-day window.

Overall, the real magic is Saturday 19 September morning and Sunday 20 September afternoon. Those are the big, clean, powerful groundswell days for the crew who can handle it. The rest is small fry or onshore slop. Water temp is about average for this time of year.

Rusty

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