Te Araroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

First things first, we’re looking at Te Araroa, a beach and point break that’s consistent and exposed. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, which is nice, but the water temp is sitting at 60°F which is about 1°F warmer than average for this time of year, so nothing too wild there.

The next few days are pretty grim. Tuesday afternoon has some small 2ft swell from the ESE with a period of 11 seconds, but the wind is a cross-off from the SSE at 12 mph, and the combined energy is weak (82). The waves are there but the quality is poor. Wednesday morning sees a tiny 2ft SE swell with glassy conditions from a light W wind at 3 mph, making it clean but very ordinary. That pattern of small, weak surf continues through Thursday and Friday, with the energy staying low (45 to 82) and the wind making a mess of things. Friday afternoon actually gets a bit more size at 3ft from the E, but the wind is a cross-shore 15 mph, creating a chop. The combined energy jumps to 154 (moderate), but it’s still not surfable.

Saturday the 25th brings a change. A 8ft swell from the NW rolls in, but the period is a short 8 seconds, and the wind is cross-shore. The energy is strong (1041), but the forecast says marginal. It’s a bit of a messy one. Sunday morning the 26th cleans up with a 3ft E swell (12-second period) and light offshore SSW wind at 6 mph. The combined energy is 289 (moderate), and the call is for good surf. Not a standout, but a step in the right direction.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 27th is a real highlight. We’ve got a 6ft ESE swell, a 13-second period, and a clean 15 mph offshore SSW wind. The combined energy is pumping at 1027 (strong). This is excellent for experienced surfers. The waves will have shape and power, and the wind is keeping it clean. Tuesday the 28th is even better. The swell jumps to 8ft from the ESE with a 14-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off. The energy is 2510 (very strong). That’s a big, powerful groundswell with a long period, so it’ll be breaking with serious authority. It’s best for experts at this size, and the long period means it’ll be better on the point than the beach. Tuesday afternoon sees it peak at 10ft from the SE (14 seconds) with a 6 mph cross-off wind and 3348 (very strong) energy. That’s the standout of the whole forecast. The crowd profile is “never” here, so you might have it to yourself.

Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th stay solid with 8ft to 6ft ESE swells, all with clean offshore winds. The energy stays strong (1705 to 1089), and while the conditions are a bit more marginal on Wednesday, it’s still good for experienced surfers. Friday the 31st swings back to a 5ft SE swell with a 13-second period and a 9 mph offshore wind in the morning, giving us 1512 (strong) energy. Then Friday afternoon gets wild: a 10ft NNW swell with a short 8-second period, but glassy conditions from a light S wind. The energy is 1946 (very strong). The period is short, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but the glassy conditions will make it rideable.

August 1st (Saturday) is another massive day. We’ve got 10ft NW swells, 9-second periods, and glassy conditions all day. The energy is 2174 and 1942 (very strong). This is big, clean, and powerful – again, for experts only. The crowd is “never,” so get out there if you can handle it.

Sunday the 2nd has a morning drop to 3ft from the SE (13 seconds) with good energy (311) and clean conditions. It’s a nice breather. Then Sunday afternoon sees another 10ft NW swell (9 seconds) with 1817 (very strong) energy and a cross-off wind. That’s a double-header day for the brave.

After that, the surf fades fast. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th drop to 2ft from the SE, with the energy falling to 160-279. The wind is offshore or cross-off, so it’s clean, but it’s small and not really worth the paddle. Wednesday the 5th is a total write-off with 1.0ft NW swell and energy of just 6. That’s a flat spell to end the run.

So, the standout: Tuesday the 28th of July and the surrounding days. That 10ft SE swell with a 14-second period, offshore winds, and very strong energy is the best on offer. It’s a true groundswell, so the point break will be firing. Get on it.

Rusty.

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