Waimarama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve had a good look at what’s on the cards for us. Let’s get stuck into it.

So, we’re looking at Waimarama for the rest of July. The water’s a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 55°. That anomaly of about a degree and a half below average is notable, so you’ll want a good steamer if you’re heading out.

There’s a bit of a slow start. Thursday afternoon has some clean little 3-foot waves from the ESE, but the combined energy is weak (402), and it’s a bit marginal. Honestly, the real kick-off is Friday morning, the 17th. That’s where it starts to get interesting.

Friday morning is the early standout. We’re looking at a solid 5-foot groundswell from the ESE with a very long period of 16 seconds, so there’s heaps of energy behind it (1419 moderate energy). The wind is glassy – dead calm. This is going to be perfect, clean, lined-up surf for experienced surfers. That long period will make for some beautiful, powerful walls, especially on the reef sections, though the sets will be a bit wider apart. It’s going to be special.

The next solid window builds through the week. Saturday morning holds clean 5-foot waves off a WNW cross-off, and it looks good. Sunday morning is another cracker: 4-foot swell from the S with offshore WSW wind at 3 mph. Combined energy is strong at 1770. That’s proper clean, powerful surf for the experienced crew.

Monday (20th) keeps the quality going with 4-foot clean waves both morning and afternoon, all day cross-off or offshore wind. Tuesday morning the 21st pushes back up to nearly 5-foot from the S with a 16-second period and clean conditions – that’s another excellent session for those who know what they’re doing.

After that first week, there’s a proper lull. From Wednesday the 22nd into the end of July, the size drops and the wind turns onshore or cross-shore. It gets messy and weak. Thursday the 23rd has a glassy morning but only 3-foot, and by the afternoon it’s onshore and poor. Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are write-offs – tiny, poor, or lumpy. Sunday the 26th is the big wildcard for long-range. Look out for the 26th of July: a solid 10-foot SSW groundswell hits with an 11-second period and combined energy of 2818. That is strong, powerful swell. Morning has a nice cross-off wind, so it’s clean, but at 10-foot this is strictly for experts only. The afternoon gets a bit cross-shore and messy. That’s a big, heavy day.

Monday the 27th still has a good 7- to 8-foot from the S and clean conditions in the morning, then goes glassy in the afternoon. That’s another big day for the experienced surfer. After that, the month tails off into smaller, less consistent, and often onshore conditions. A few days in early August might be worth a look, but you’d want to keep an eye on the forecasts, as it’s a long way out.

Overall, the best on offer is Friday the 17th morning for that perfect, glassy 5-foot groundswell. Sunday the 26th morning is the other standout, but only if you’re a seasoned pro. Crowds at Waimarama can be an issue, so get in early for those peak sessions.

Rusty.

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