Te Araroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

We’re looking at a bit of a slow start for the next week or so, but things are looking up for the end of the run. The first real swell we can get stuck into doesn’t show up until the weekend of the 24th, and that’s where the real action is. Gonna be a long wait, but it might just be worth it.

The first decent window is Saturday morning, August 15th at Te Araroa. The water is sitting at 59°F, which is about average for this time of year. We’ve got a 7 ft swell rolling in from the ENE with a period of 9 seconds, which is a nice, punchy groundswell. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSE at 9 mph, so the surface will be clean. The combined energy is sitting at a solid 803 (moderate wave energy), so there’s a bit of grunt behind it. This one’s a consistent spot, so you’ll get waves. It’s a beach and point setup, so it should handle that ENE swell okay. The crowd factor is "never", so you’ll have it mostly to yourself. The swell direction is NE, which is the optimum direction for this break, so it’s a good match. The waves drop to 6 ft on Saturday afternoon, still clean, but the morning is the pick.

Sunday the 16th stays clean with a 4 ft ENE swell in the morning and a 3 ft ESE swell in the afternoon, both with favourable offshore winds from the SSW. The energy drops off a bit to 363 (weak-moderate), but it’s still surfable, just smaller.

Then we hit a dry spell. From Monday the 17th through to Sunday the 23rd, the combined energy plummets, with many days below 100 (weak energy). Swell heights are tiny, mostly under 2 ft, and the wind is all over the place. It’s a real flat, quiet period. Nothing to get excited about.

Now, the big news. The standout is Monday, August 24th at Te Araroa. The afternoon sees a solid 8 ft swell from the N, with a short period of 7 seconds. It’s a windswell, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but the wind is cross-offshore from the W at 16 mph, keeping it clean. The combined energy jumps to 762 (moderate wave energy), so there’s plenty of push. This is a big fella for a beginner, but for the experienced crew, it’s game on. The swell direction is N, which is close to the optimum NE, so it’ll work.

Tuesday, August 25th is the real standout. The morning brings a 10 ft swell from the NNW with a short period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is a massive 1374 (strong wave energy). That’s a serious amount of water moving. The wind is a solid offshore from the S at 19 mph, which will hold the waves up nicely. This is expert territory only at that size, but it’s going to be special if you’ve got the skills. The afternoon drops to a more manageable 7 ft, still with a clean offshore breeze, and the energy is still high at 526. A serious day for the core crew.

The following week sees a new swell from the NNW. Thursday, August 27th morning is a beauty: 6 ft swell from the NNW, 8-second period, and the wind is glassy from the WNW at 3 mph. Dead flat water, perfect surfaces. The energy is a solid 439 (moderate wave energy). The swell direction is NNW, which is good for the break’s optimum NE. A cracking morning for a paddle.

The rest of the week into the 29th has consistent 5 ft to 8 ft NNW swell, but the winds turn more cross-shore, so the quality will drop off. It’s still surfable, but not as clean as the glassy Thursday morning.

For the week of the 24th, the waves are over 8 ft, so it’s for experts only. The 10 ft on the 25th is a big, powerful, short-period swell, so it’s not a beginner’s day. The 27th with the glassy conditions and 6 ft is a better all-rounder.

So, the long and short of it: wait out the flat spell, then get ready for the 24th and 25th for power, and the 27th morning for pure, clean perfection.

Rusty.

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