Te Araroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. First up, we’ve got a solid pulse of energy coming through Te Araroa, a beach and point setup that’s exposed and consistent, with a NE optimum swell direction. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird going on there.

The real standout is the Friday morning, July 17th. Glassy conditions, no wind, and a nice 6ft ESE swell rolling in with a long 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell, and the combined energy is pumping at 1498 (moderate to strong). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – the point will be handling that long-period energy beautifully, with clean, lined-up waves. It’s a bit much for beginners at that size, but if you’ve got the skills, this is the best on offer by a long shot.

Friday afternoon holds up just as well, still glassy, 6ft from the ESE, 15-second period, energy at 1423. More of the same goodness.

Saturday the 18th drops off a bit. Morning has 5ft ESE swell but a cross-off wind from the west at 12 mph, which will put a bit of bump on the surface. Score is marginal. The afternoon is better, 5ft from the SE with lighter cross-off wind, cleaner, and more surfable.

Sunday the 19th is a nice little run. Morning is glassy again, 4ft SE swell with a 13-second period, energy at 509. Very good conditions. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze.

Monday the 20th is still rideable, but the swell is fading. Morning glassy with 3ft SE swell, then the afternoon goes flat with 3ft and glassy conditions. Ordinary.

From Tuesday the 21st through to Thursday the 24th, it’s a real dry spell. Swell drops below 2ft, wind is messy, and the energy values are in the dumps (down to 27). Just a few days of nothing worth paddling out for.

Then we get a pulse on Saturday the 25th of July – 7ft from the NNW, but it’s a short-period wind swell (7-8 seconds) and the wind is howling onshore or cross-shore. Energy is there (603-845), but it’s messy, lumpy, and poor quality. This setup would be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Sunday the 26th cleans up nicely. Morning has 6ft NW swell with cross-off wind, very good conditions. The afternoon gets a bit marginal with a risk of storms and a cross-wind, but the morning window is solid.

From Monday the 27th through to Thursday the 30th, the swell fades again but stays clean. A few days of 3ft to 4ft with offshore or cross-off winds, good for a fun session if you’re not chasing size.

Friday the 31st of July throws a curveball. Morning is small and clean, but the afternoon brings a 10ft NW swell with a short 8-second period. The energy is high at 1524, but the wind is light cross-shore, and the period is short, so it’ll be fat and lumpy. Marginal.

Saturday the 1st of August finishes with a glassy 3ft SE swell, 14-second period, energy at 377. Good, clean conditions to wrap things up.

So, bottom line: the best bet is Friday the 17th of July, morning or afternoon, for that long-period ESE groundswell with glassy winds. After that, keep an eye on Sunday the 19th morning and Sunday the 26th morning for solid, clean surf. The second week is smaller and more inconsistent, but there are still a few clean windows.

Rusty.

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