Te Ikaamaru Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Te Ikaamaru Bay over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a rough stretch. If you’re lookin’ for a solid session, you’re gonna have to be patient. The whole first week and a half is pretty much a write-off, with strong onshore winds and messy conditions. The surf just isn’t cooperating.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Thursday the 17th of September. That morning, we’ve got some clouds overhead but the wind swings light offshore from the east, finally cleanin’ things up. The swell is a solid 6 ft from the NW with a 7-second period, and the combined energy is moderate at 301. It’s not a perfect setup, but it’s the first time in a while you can paddle out without gettin’ chewed up. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 56°F.

Now, the standout – and I mean the only real standout here – is Thursday afternoon on the 17th. The wind goes glassy, dead calm out of the SSE, and the swell pushes up to 7 ft from the NW, period still 7 seconds. The combined energy bumps up to 404 (moderate). This is the best you’re gonna get. The waves will be clean and lined up, though at 7 ft, it’s a bit much for the groms and beginners – this one’s for the intermediate crew and up. Just keep in mind that the swell is from the NW, which is the optimum direction for this spot. It’s a fairly consistent break, but with crowds sometimes, you might have a few locals out for that rare glassy afternoon.

Before that, there’s a long stretch of nothin’. From the 3rd right through to the 16th, you’re lookin’ at strong winds, onshore slop, and tiny waves. The 4th of September actually sees a big 12 ft pulse from the NNW, but with a gale blowin’ straight onshore, it’s a washing machine – nothin’ for a paddle surfer. The 7th and 8th clean up a little, but the swell is tiny, around 1 ft to 4 ft, and the energy is weak.

After the 17th, it falls apart again. By Friday the 18th, the wind is back onshore and the swell drops off fast. There’s a little spike on the 16th with some bigger swell, but the wind is cross-onshore and messy, so it’s more of a kite-surfing show than a surf session.

Bottom line: if you’ve got a flexible schedule, lock in Thursday the 17th of September, especially the afternoon. That’s your window. Everything else is a wait-and-see, but for now, it’s a tough run.

Rusty.

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