Waimea Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cookin’ at Waimea Rivermouth.

We’ve got a bit of a slow burner to start, but there’s some real hope in the second half of the run. The first few days are more about building blocks than stand-out sessions, but the whole picture gets interesting as we move past the first week.

Monday 24th kicks things off, but it’s a tough sell. We’re looking at a 7ft swell bumpin’ in from the East, but with a short period of only 6 seconds and a cross-off breeze at 12 mph, plus that risk of a thunderstorm – honestly, it’s just a marginal call at best. The wave energy is moderate at best (509), and you’ll be fighting the chop.

Tuesday 25th is a little more promising. The wind drops to a gentle 9 mph out of the East in the afternoon, still clean, with the same 7ft swell height. The wave energy climbs a bit (573), but that short period means the waves are gonna be close together and a bit lumpy. It’s surfable, but not special.

The real turn starts Wednesday 26th into Thursday 27th. The swell direction swings from East to a long-period South groundswell. On Wednesday afternoon we’re looking at a tiny 2ft swell but with a juicy 18-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind falls away to nearly glassy (6 mph cross-off), and the water is a warm 81°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year. The wave energy hits moderate (697) for that small size – clean, long lines, but small.

Thursday 27th is the real standout of the first week. Morning brings 3ft of that same S swell at 17 seconds, and by afternoon the wind goes glassy – completely flat offshore. The wave energy is still solid (627), and you are looking at some of the cleanest, most lined-up waves of the whole period. This is a beginner-friendly break anyway, and with this quality, it is the pick of the bunch. Just know that crowds can be an issue here when it looks this good, so get there early.

Friday 28th through to Sunday 30th we see a slow fade. The swell drops off, the period shortens, and the wind stays cross-off. It’s clean, but the energy dips into the 300-400 range, and it’s small. By Sunday afternoon the energy is down to 197 – ordinary conditions, barely a ripple.

Then things get a second wind around Monday 31st into Tuesday 1st of September. We get another long-period S/SSW groundswell, 15-18 seconds, but it’s tiny – only 2ft to 2ft. By Tuesday morning the wind is glassy again, and the wave energy climbs back to 282. It’s small, but if you want a longboard or a fun shape, the quality is there.

But really, the final highlight is Wednesday 2nd September into Thursday 3rd September. Wednesday afternoon sees a clean 3ft S swell at 16 seconds with a moderate breeze (664 wave energy). Then Thursday 3rd brings the best size of the lot: the swell jumps to 5ft in the morning from the East, period 8 seconds, building to 6ft by afternoon, with a light cross-off breeze out of the ENE. That 6ft push (647 wave energy) will be the most powerful, punchiest surf of the whole run. It’s still in the fun-size range for a more experienced beginner, but anything over 5ft starts to get punchy for absolute newbies. The crowd will be out, but the quality is the best we’ll see all forecast.

Friday 4th to Monday 7th offers a slow taper, with small clean surf, but the wind is pickin’ up again (19 mph on the 5th and 6th), and you’ll get some rain spits. Avoid the 5th – that wind is fresh, and it’s poor conditions. By Monday 7th, the East swell returns at 5ft and 10 seconds with light breeze, and wave energy is strong (699). It’s worth a paddle.

Overall, Thursday afternoon 27th August is the cleanest, glassiest session of the lot – tiny but perfect. The Thursday afternoon 3rd September is the best size, punch, and power combo. If you can only pick one, go for the 3rd for a proper wave, or the 27th for a glassy smooth cruise.

Take it easy,
Rusty.

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