Te Araroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The surf’s been a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a few windows where it’s worth paddling out. The water’s sitting at 60°F, which is right around average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We start things off on Friday morning at Te Araroa. It’s clean and glassy with a 5ft southeast swell rolling in on a 10-second period. The energy’s moderate at 506, and it’s looking like a solid start. The wind is light out of the WSW, making for some nice, clean lines. This is probably the best bet for a proper surf session right out of the gate. The afternoon stays okay, but that cross-shore breeze kicks up a little chop, so it’s not as pristine.

Saturday morning sees the swell drop to 3ft, but it’s still clean with that 12-second period and a light cross-offshore wind. It’s surfable, but it’s not going to blow you away. The afternoon gets smaller and more ordinary, so it’s more of a longboard kind of day if you’re keen.

Sunday is a write-off. The wind swings around to the northwest and picks up, turning the ocean into a lumpy mess. The swell is short-period and weak, and it’s just not worth fighting the chop. You’re better off doing something else.

Monday morning brings a bit more size – 8ft – but it’s from the northwest and the period drops to 8 seconds. The energy’s strong at 926, but that cross-shore wind and the shorter period make it a bit tricky. The afternoon eases off to 7ft, but it’s still not the cleanest. This is more for the experienced crew who don’t mind a bit of a battle.

Tuesday and Wednesday are pretty bleh. The swell drops and the wind’s messy, with some light rain on Wednesday. The waves are small and the conditions are choppy. Not worth getting excited about.

Thursday morning is small and clean, but there’s barely any energy. It’s a bit of a non-event.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Friday the 14th is a big one – but not in a good way. We’ve got a strong onshore wind and a huge swell pushing in, reaching 12ft in the morning and 15ft in the afternoon. The energy is strong to very strong, hitting 3621 in the afternoon, but with that wind and size, it’s going to be a washing machine. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s probably going to be a mess.

Saturday the 15th is still big, with 12ft in the morning and 10ft in the afternoon. The wind is cross-shore and fresh, making it lumpy. The models say it’s too big for this break, and I’d agree. It’s more of a spectacle than a surf.

But then, Sunday the 16th is the standout. The swell drops to a manageable 5ft, and the wind swings offshore, making it glassy and clean. The energy is moderate at 513, and the conditions are described as very good. This is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a proper clean session with good waves and no crowds to worry about.

After that, it’s a slow fade. The swell drops off through the week, and while the wind stays offshore and clean for a few days, the waves get smaller and smaller. By the 20th and 21st, there’s almost nothing – just small, clean leftovers. The 22nd is flat with a cross-shore breeze.

So, the takeaway is: Friday morning is a solid start, but Sunday the 16th morning is the real winner. The big stuff in between is for the brave or the crazy, and the end of the run is a flat, clean desert. Keep your eyes on that Sunday.

Rusty.

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