
Surf Forecasts:
Vunaniu surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 18s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 18s period, SSW swell with 2,273 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 18s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Vunaniu this week:
The surf forecast for Vunaniu over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Vunaniu in the next 16 days are 1.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (+12) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Vunaniu over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, what's happening, it's Rusty. Let's break down this swell window.
The first few days are a bit of a bust. There's some swell, but the wind is howling cross-off, and the conditions are just marginal. Water temp is 78°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing weird there.
The real action starts to build from Monday, July 20th. That's when we get a proper SSW groundswell arriving, with a period stretching out to 20 seconds and a very solid energy reading of 3033. That's a ton of power. The swell height is around 6ft to 6ft, and while the wind is still cross-off from the ENE, it's manageable. This is the standout window. The swell direction from the SSW is exactly what this spot loves, and the long period will set up some proper, powerful lines peeling down the reef. Keep in mind, with a period that long, it can be a bit straight at some beach breaks, but Vunaniu is a reef, so it should handle it perfectly. It's not a beginner wave though, at that size and with that period, you'll want to be comfortable.
Vunaniu is the only spot on the menu here, and it's an inconsistent reef break, so when it's on, it's a treat. The crowds are "sometimes," so you might have some company, but it's not crowded. The energy stays high through the 20th and 21st, with the swell holding around 5ft to 6ft and a still-impressive 16-18 second period.
Then we hit a dry patch. From Wednesday, July 22nd through to Saturday, July 26th, the forecast is rough. The swell drops, the wind swings around to the SE and ESE, bringing cross-shore chop and rain showers. It's a solid 5-day gap where the surf quality is just poor. Not worth paddling out.
Things start to flicker back to life on Sunday, July 26th morning, with a little bump from the SSE, but it's small and short period. The real next pulse comes on Monday, July 27th. Another SSW groundswell, this time with a 17-18 second period and energy topping 2406. The swell is 5ft to 6ft, with a consistent cross-off wind. It's a promising-looking run, but it's a week and a half out, so don't bet the farm on it yet.
Towards the very end, on Thursday, July 30th morning, we get a moment of pure glass. The wind goes NW at 3 mph, and the water goes flat. The swell is a tiny 3ft from the SSW, but with that glassy surface, it could be a nice, clean session for the longboard or a mid-length. The energy is low though, so don't expect high-performance waves.
So, to wrap it up: your best bet is Monday, July 20th and Tuesday, July 21st for the biggest, cleanest groundswell. The second pulse around Monday, July 27th is worth watching, but it's further out. The rest of the period is mostly a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 21°C on Thu afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 20°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Mon night, strong winds from the ESE by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 16 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 16 | ESE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
581 | 623 | 691 | 717 | 707 | 709 | 705 | 612 | 574 | 838 | 981 | 766 | 2064 | 2056 | 1599 | 1081 | 881 | 522 | 501 | 373 | 309 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 8:21PM1.62m | 8:21AM1.72m | 9:11PM1.62m | 9:14AM1.64m | 10:01PM1.60m | 10:09AM1.53m | 10:50PM1.57m | 11:05AM1.41m | 11:40PM1.52m | 12:04PM1.31m | 00:31AM1.47m | 1:07PM1.24m | 1:23AM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:58PM-0.06m | 2:14AM0.28m | 2:47PM-0.00m | 3:08AM0.30m | 3:35PM0.09m | 4:04AM0.33m | 4:23PM0.20m | 5:00AM0.37m | 5:12PM0.32m | 5:59AM0.40m | 6:03PM0.43m | 7:00AM0.42m | 6:58PM0.52m | ||||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 | 21 | 15 | 5 |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
Feels °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 15 | 17 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
73 | 480 | 559 | 717 | 657 | 602 | 496 | 560 | 574 | 838 | 981 | 760 | 2064 | 2056 | 1599 | 1081 | 881 | 522 | 501 | 373 | 309 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 20 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SSE 20 | SE 18 | SE 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SSW 14 | SE 13 | SSE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | E 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | SE 11 |
98 | 87 | 73 | 31 | 38 | 258 | 454 | 430 | 452 | 551 | 482 | 407 | 431 | 394 | 219 | 172 | 157 | 103 | 69 | 52 | 99 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 12 | SSW 25 | SSW 22 | SSE 14 | SSW 15 | S 23 | S 21 | S 21 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 7 |
20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 61 | 766 | 337 | 142 | 40 | 9 | 8 | 116 | 114 | 110 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 5 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 6 | — | — | — | — |
581 | 623 | 691 | 715 | 707 | 709 | 705 | 612 | 540 | 520 | 472 | 286 | 201 | 92 | 169 | 130 | 115 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 73 | 73 | 73 | 1277 | 73 | 84 | 84 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 1015 | 73 | 37 | 988 | 0 | 73 | 83 | 73 | 777 | 777 | 1349 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kadavu Passage | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Fiji | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Vunaniu Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Vunaniu provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Vunaniu can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Vunaniu surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Vunaniu) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Vunaniu may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Vunaniu is 61 km (38 miles) from Suva. If you plan a holiday in Kadavu Passage, look for hotels and other accommodation in Suva. Suva has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










