Takapuna-North Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this outlook is a tough one. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but the first two weeks are basically a write-off for any kind of decent surf.

The whole period kicks off Wednesday, July 22, and it’s a cruel start. For the first two weeks, we’re looking at tiny, almost non-existent swell. The waves barely tickle 0.3ft, with short periods that just don’t have any push. The combined energy is a pathetic 1 to 14 (weak energy). It’s flat, it’s frustrating, and honestly, there’s nothing to get excited about. The wind is often light or glassy, which would be great if there was any swell to clean up, but there isn’t. You’d be better off checking the tide pools.

Then, there’s a big gap of nothingness until we finally see a glimmer. The first real sign of life pops up on Wednesday, August 5, about two weeks out. It’s a long way off, so take this with a grain of salt, but it’s the only thing on the horizon.

Takapuna-North Reef is the only break on the menu, and it’s a sheltered beginner spot that’s usually inconsistent. For the first two weeks, it’s hopeless. All the action, if you can call it that, is on that Wednesday morning, August 5. The swell finally jumps up to 5ft from the north, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s windswell, not groundswell. The combined energy hits 236 (moderate wave energy), which is a big step up from the flat days. The water temperature is a bit colder than normal at 57°F (anomaly -2°F), so you’ll want a thicker wetsuit. The wind is glassy – calm, which is a major positive and will make for clean, smooth conditions. Because it’s a sheltered reef, that north swell should wrap in okay. But with that short period, it’ll be a bit soft and lumpy. It’s small enough for beginners, but it’s not going to be a world-class session. The afternoon sees the wind swing onshore and the waves get messy, so the morning is your only shot.

The rest of the forecast after that is a fade back to tiny, poor surf. The Thursday (August 6) drops to 2ft with onshore winds, so don’t even bother.

So here’s the summary: a brutal two-week flat spell, then a single, promising morning on August 5. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that Wednesday morning at Takapuna-North Reef is the only standout, but it’s a long way off and conditions could change. Keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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