Te Araroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down what’s coming for Te Araroa over the next couple of weeks. It’s a real mixed bag, but there’s a couple of sessions that’ll make it worth paddling out.

The first good window hits Friday morning, 7 August. Te Araroa is a beach and point break, and it’s a consistent spot for beginners. The swell is from the southeast at 5 feet, with a 10-second period. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the west at 3 mph, so the surface will be clean. The combined wave energy is a solid 506 – that’s moderate energy with plenty of push. The water temp is about average for this time of year. Friday morning is the standout in the first week – it’s the best on offer.

The afternoon on Friday gets a bit more wind, 9 mph from the west-northwest, and it turns cross-shore, making things a bit choppy. Not the one to chase.

Saturday morning, 8 August, is flat with zero energy. The afternoon sees a tiny 2-foot southeast swell at 12 seconds, but it’s very ordinary. Sunday, 9 August, is a write-off with strong onshore winds.

Monday, 10 August, has a big pulse of swell from the northwest, hitting 8 feet in the morning, but the wind is a moderate cross-shore breeze. The combined energy is a massive 1132 – strong energy. This is getting into expert-only territory due to the size and the lumpy conditions. Not ideal for a relaxing paddle.

Tuesday, 11 August, is small and messy.

Now, Wednesday morning, 12 August, is a real gem. The wind goes light offshore from the south at 3 mph, and the swell is a solid 7 feet from the north-northwest with an 8-second period. The combined energy is 534 – moderate energy. The wind is offshore, so the surf will be clean and peeling. This is a true standout for the early part of the forecast. The size is pushing it for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, it’ll be firing.

After that, we get a gap of poor conditions. There’s a small glassy day on Thursday, 13 August, but the swell is only 4 feet.

Friday, 14 August, brings a monster 12-foot north swell with a combined energy of 1535 – very strong energy. But the wind is cross-onshore, and the forecast says it’s too big for this break. This is only for the most experienced, and it’ll be a wild, washing machine scene. The beach and point setup will be more interesting for kite surfers than paddle surfing.

The following week is quiet. From Saturday, 15 August, through to Wednesday, 19 August, the surf is tiny or non-existent. It’s a long stretch of flat to very small waves, mainly with clean but weak conditions.

Thursday, 20 August, shows a flicker of life in the afternoon with a 5-foot southeast swell at 10 seconds and a combined energy of 557, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s not the cleanest.

Finally, Saturday, 22 August, brings a little hope. A clean 4-foot southeast swell with a 10-second period and a light cross-offshore wind from the west at 6 mph. The combined energy is 326 – moderate energy. It’s a solid, surfable option for the end of the forecast, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.

So, the pick of the whole period is Friday morning, 7 August, for the clean, offshore 5-foot swell, and Wednesday morning, 12 August, for the punchy 7-foot swell with the offshore wind. Get out there if you can.

Rusty.

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