Tairua Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ at Tairua Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, there’s a real flat patch to kick things off. From Wednesday the 29th of July right through to around Sunday the 2nd of August, it’s pretty ordinary – weak, small dribble and funky winds. The water temp is sitting around 59°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real glimmer shows up on Friday the 31st of July morning. We’re looking at a short-period NNW swell pushing 5 ft, and with a clean cross-offshore breeze from the WNW, the waves will be rideable. That combined swell energy is a solid 458 (moderate energy), but the period is only 7 seconds – a bit fat and dumpy, so not your classic lined-up wave. Still, it’s clean, and for a beginner-friendly break like Tairua Beach, it’s a decent chance to get wet with crowds sometimes about.

Through the rest of the first week and into the second, it’s mostly small, weak, and wind-affected. Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd see tiny stuff – Saturday afternoon goes glassy with 1 ft and a light offshore from the SW, but barely enough to push a log. The next few days are very quiet.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Round about Sunday the 9th of August, the ocean wakes up. We’ve got a big NE groundswell building. On the 9th, Sunday morning sees 10 ft with a moderate offshore SW wind, period 8 seconds, and energy rocketing up to 1270 (strong). By Sunday afternoon, that same 10 ft is paired with a fresh offshore SW at 22 mph and energy over 1700. The wind is clean and offshore – that’s a major positive – and the swell has decent length between sets. But 10 ft is too big for most beginners; this is for experienced crew only.

The standout is Monday the 10th of August. The swell explodes: 18 ft from the ENE, period 12 seconds, with a strong offshore SW wind at 25 mph during the morning. The combined wave energy is a massive 8092 in the morning and 13458 in the afternoon – that’s very strong energy. The wind is strong offshore and clean, making for some epic, powerful waves. BUT – this is too big even for many experienced surfers. It’s a real gym session, and only the fittest, most skilled paddlers will get into these. Sets will be thick and fast.

Tuesday the 11th of August morning sees 12 ft from the ENE, still with offshore winds, but the swell remains XXL. By the afternoon, it drops to 10 ft, period 12 seconds, with a moderate offshore SW wind – this is a much more manageable size and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. The combined energy is 2856 (very strong). This is easily the best window: clean, powerful, and lined-up.

Wednesday the 12th of August keeps the goods coming: 8 ft ENE groundswell, 11-second period, with a clean offshore wind from the SW all day. Energy is still strong (1871–1573). This is still a big wave, but more accessible for strong intermediates – just watch for the long period sets pushing through with some space between them. The offshore wind will hold the faces open.

Heading into Thursday the 13th of August, the swell holds at 10 ft from the ENE, period 13 seconds, with a gentle cross-offshore breeze in the morning. Energy is nearly 3000. This is another day for the experienced, but the afternoon sees a cross-shore picking up, so get your session in early.

Overall, Tairua Beach has a very slow start, then builds into a serious late-winter swell window around the 9th through to the 13th of August. The absolute pick is Tuesday the 11th afternoon and Wednesday the 12th – big, clean waves with offshore wind and solid groundswell. Don’t take the missus, leave the foamy at home.

Rusty.

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