Te Araroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good look at what’s on the cards for Te Araroa.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the real action kicks off in the second week. The early days are pretty ordinary, with small, messy swells and onshore winds spoiling the party. But don’t write it off entirely – the forecast is building towards a proper pulse of energy.

The first real surfable window shows up on Monday the 10th of August in the afternoon. We’re looking at a clean, 8ft swell from the NW with a period of 9 seconds, and a moderate combined wave energy of 854. The wind is a cross-offshore breeze, keeping things tidy. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, so no major surprises there.

After that, it gets quiet again. Tuesday the 11th through to Friday the 14th is a real write-off – small cross-on swells, light rain, and poor conditions. Not worth getting wet for.

Then things start to shift. On Saturday the 15th of August, the morning is still a bit rough with a cross-on wind, but the afternoon looks promising. We’ve got a 5ft swell from the NNW, a clean cross-off breeze, and the wave energy is ramping up to 583. It’s looking very good out there.

Sunday the 16th of August is a solid day. Clean offshore winds from the SSW all day, with a 5ft swell from the ESE in the morning and a 4ft swell in the afternoon. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s a nice, workable groundswell. The water is clean, and the energy is moderate.

Now, the standout. Monday the 17th of August – this is the one to circle on the calendar. We’ve got a strong 8ft swell from the SE, with a period of 10 seconds in the morning, building to 11 seconds in the afternoon. The combined wave energy is massive at 1427, so there’s serious power in the water. The wind is a clean offshore from the SSW, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a proper, solid groundswell pulse. The long period (11 seconds) means it will wrap in nicely, but it’s going to be a bit straight at the beach, so the point at Te Araroa is the spot to be. The water stays clean, and the sets will have some real push. This is the best on offer – no doubt about it.

After that, the swell fades. Tuesday the 18th is still decent with a 4ft SE swell and offshore winds, but by Wednesday the 19th, it’s all gone. The tail end of the forecast shows a few small, long-period pulses (17 seconds on the 22nd, 13 seconds on the 23rd) but they’re tiny, with almost no energy. The winds are light and glassy at times, but the swell just isn’t there.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a washout, but the second week has a clear highlight. Don’t bother before the 15th. The real deal is Monday the 17th of August – that’s your best shot for some proper, powerful, clean surf. It’s a big one, so leave your foamie at home and bring your step-up.

Rusty.

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