Takapuna-North Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get real about what’s coming up for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, mate, I’ve been staring at the charts and it’s gonna be a lean run. The first solid week or more is looking pretty grim for any kind of proper surf. We’ve got a long gap of tiny, weak leftovers and poor conditions, so don’t get your hopes up too early. The first real hint of anything with a pulse doesn’t show up until the second week, and even then, it’s not a classic.

The only spot we’ve got on the radar is Takapuna-North Reef. It’s a sheltered beginner spot, and it’s inconsistent, which is about to matter a lot. The water temperature is sitting at 57°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll want a decent steamer.

The first few days are just flat. From Friday, 31 July afternoon through to Monday, 10 August morning, we’re looking at swell heights barely a whisper, often 0.3 ft to 1.0 ft. The wind is all over the place – cross-on, onshore, light breezes – and the combined energy is pathetic, with values like 17 and 3 (weak energy). The wave comments are all “poor surf conditions” with a score of zero. It’s a write-off.

The first real blip of energy finally shows up on Monday, 10 August afternoon. The swell jumps to 2 ft from the NNE, with a period of 11 seconds (a solid groundswell), and the combined energy hits 118 (moderate energy). Problem is, the wind is a fresh cross-shore, making it lumpy. It’s not clean, but it’s the first sign of life.

The standout moment, and the only time I’d get excited, is the morning of Tuesday, 11 August. The swell is 3 ft from the NE with a 12-second period (long period groundswell). The combined energy jumps to 201 (moderate energy). But the real winner here is the wind: it’s a cross-offshore breeze from the N at 9 mph, which will keep the surface clean. This is your best shot. The good news is the offshore wind will make it rideable, but the long period (12 seconds) at a reef break like Takapuna can make it a bit tricky; the sets will be more powerful but spaced out. It’s not a beginner day, but for a surfer who knows the spot, this is the best on offer across the whole 16 days.

After that, it gets messy again. The afternoon of the same day sees the wind shift cross-shore and chop it up. Wednesday, 12 August brings fresh breezes and rain, with the swell dropping back. The end of the window, around Thursday, 15 August afternoon, shows a tiny 1.0 ft from the N with clean cross-offshore wind, but it’s barely a ripple.

So, to sum it up: the first 10 days are a bust. The only real chance at a session is the morning of Tuesday, 11 August. Get on it if you can, because the rest of the month is looking like a long wait.

Rusty.

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