Tawharanui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming for Tawharanui over the next couple of weeks. The water temp is about 58°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year. Fair warning: we’ve got a long flat spell to start. The first real surf doesn’t turn up until Sunday, August 9th, and even then it’s not pretty. There’s a six-day gap of tiny, sad waves before that. The best window is short, so don’t get too worked up.

From Wednesday, August 5th through Saturday, August 8th, it’s all ankle-biters – 0.3ft of swell with weak energy (around 11-15), and the wind is cross or cross-off. Nothing happening. Friday morning, August 7th, is glassy, but the swell is still a joke. Leave the board at home.

Then Sunday, August 9th, a pulse of swell arrives in the morning. We get 6ft from the north with a short period of 6 seconds and moderate energy (287). The wind is a fresh cross-onshore from the NNW at 22 mph, making it lumpy and messy. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions” – that’s a kite-surfing morning, not a paddle session.

Monday, August 10th, is the pick of the bunch. Morning brings 6ft from the north with a short period of 8 seconds and moderate energy (355). The wind goes glassy – dead calm – so the surface will be clean. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is your window. Tawharanui is a beach and reef setup, so the short, punchy swell should work on the reef. The optimum swell direction is NE, and we’re coming from north, so it’s close enough. Crowds are often here, so expect company. Tuesday, August 11th, has similar size (6ft) but the onshore wind from the ENE at 12-16 mph chops it up. No good.

Wednesday, August 12th, is another morning to check. 4ft from the NNE with a period of 9 seconds and moderate energy (237). The wind is glassy again – 3 mph from the west. Clean and glassy. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” Swell is a little smaller, but the quality will be there. Afternoon gets onshore, so morning is the go.

From Thursday, August 13th, onwards, the swell fades. We’re looking at 3ft to 3ft with weak to moderate energy (57-184). The wind is mostly cross-off or offshore, keeping things clean, but the swell is just too small. Sunday, August 16th, morning has a brief offshore wind from the WSW at 16 mph with 3ft and moderate energy (141). The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s a maybe if you’re keen. After that, it’s tiny again until the end.

The one true standout is Monday morning, August 10th, with glassy conditions and 6ft of north swell. Wednesday morning, August 12th, is a solid backup for clean, smaller waves. Don’t expect much else.

Rusty.

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