Te Araroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Te Araroa over the next couple of weeks. Right off the bat, the weekend’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s some solid potential further out. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing too wild on that front.

We kick off on Friday the 3rd with chest-high swell around 6ft from the east, periods of 12 seconds giving it some decent push, but a light cross-shore wind and marginal tide conditions mean it’s a bit average—good for a paddle but nothing to set the world on fire. The combined energy is moderate (780).

Saturday the 4th morning is where it gets interesting. Glassy conditions, 6ft east swell, and that 12-second period rolling in. The energy’s still moderate (861), but with the wind flat, it’s going to be clean. This is your standout for the near term—Te Araroa’s a consistent beach and point that’s beginner-friendly, and with no crowds to worry about, you’ll have it pretty much to yourself. Swell direction’s from the east, which isn’t the optimum NE direction, but the size and clean conditions make it a solid goer.

Sunday the 5th is a write-off—onshore slop and junk. Monday’s no better. Tuesday the 7th afternoon sees a glassy window again with 5ft from the NNE, short 9-second period, and moderate energy (767), but it’s a quick window before the next pulse.

Now, Wednesday the 8th through Friday the 10th rolls in a proper run. Wednesday morning hits with 7ft from the ESE, clean cross-off wind, and strong energy (1975). The swell period’s 10 seconds, so it’s a mix of power and shape. Thursday the 9th afternoon goes offshore with 8ft from the ESE and fresh offshore wind—clean and punchy, but this is starting to get sizey for beginners. Friday the 10th morning is the big one: 12ft from the SE, 11-second period, and a massive 2487 energy reading. That’s strong to very strong energy, and the offshore wind (SSW) makes it look unreal, but the swell’s too big for the break—only for experienced surfers. Friday afternoon drops to 8ft SE, still offshore, and it’s excellent for those who can handle it.

The following week eases off. Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th hold clean, offshore conditions with chest to head-high swell (5ft–8ft) from the SE, moderate energy. Monday the 13th morning is glassy with 5ft SE and an 11-second period—clean and fun again. But then from Tuesday the 14th onward, the wind shifts and the quality drops off.

Jumping to Thursday the 16th, we’ve got a very long-period groundswell from the SE (14 seconds) pushing 12ft, with massive energy (4300), but with cross-shore wind and size too big for the break—this is for experts only, and at a point or reef setup it might be okay, but at Te Araroa’s beach and point, it’ll be a handful. Friday the 17th morning offers a more manageable 8ft from the ESE, 13-second period, light cross-off wind, and strong energy (2448)—that’s the later standout, promising but further out and less certain.

So, for the best of it: hit Saturday 4th morning for the glassy, clean, chest-high waves with no crowds. And if you’re experienced, Friday 10th morning and Friday 17th morning are the ones to circle on the calendar.

Rusty.

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