Waimea Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks at the one spot that’s got our attention.

We’re looking at a classic tale of two weeks here. The first week is a bit of a mixed bag with small, clean windows, but the real standout action is shaping up for the second half. For a beginner-friendly wave that’s fairly consistent, Waimea Rivermouth is the only game in town, and it’s got a few moments that’ll get the heart racing.

The week kicks off this Sunday, August 9th, with a tiny little knee-high swell. The water is a beautiful 81°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit. But honestly, the surf is minimal—don’t rush out for it. We drift through Monday and Tuesday with small, short-period wind swell, and the wind is a bit messy, making for marginal conditions. It’s not worth the paddle.

Things finally start to show some promise on Wednesday, August 12th. The morning is clean with a light breeze, and a solid S swell kicks in at 3 ft with a long 18-second period. The combined energy is already in the moderate range (833), and by the afternoon it jumps to strong (1201) with a 4 ft swell. This is where it starts to get good for the experienced crew—the long period groundswell will be peeling nicely, but being a river mouth, that long-period energy might straighten out a bit in the wrong spot. Still, it’s clean.

Thursday, August 13th, is the pick of the first week. Morning glass-off conditions with 4 ft of S swell at 16 seconds. The combined energy is strong at 1006. This is excellent for experienced surfers, and the conditions will be smooth. The morning is the winner. Friday the 14th holds similar energy but a touch smaller at 4 ft, with glassy conditions in the morning again.

Now, Saturday, August 15th, brings a shift. The swell direction swings to the E, and the height pushes to 5 ft in the morning with glassy conditions. That’s solid for a beginner spot, but the period is a short 10 seconds, so it’ll be a bit crumbly. The afternoon jumps to 6 ft with 11-second period and strong energy (1024). This is only for the experts—it’s getting big and powerful.

Then we hit a lull. Sunday the 16th is small again, and from Monday the 17th through Tuesday the 18th, it’s a write-off with onshore winds and poor quality. That’s a two-day gap of rubbish.

We come back Wednesday, August 19th, with a small, clean 4 ft E swell, but the period is short at 7 seconds, so it’s just a fun little wave for beginners. Thursday the 20th has a glassy afternoon with a very long 19-second SSW groundswell, but it’s only 2 ft—long period but no power to push it. That’s a tease.

But here is your absolute standout: Saturday, August 23rd. Mark it. The morning kicks off with a 7 ft E swell, clean conditions and a light breeze. The combined energy is moderate (689). The afternoon gets even better with 7 ft of E swell and glassy conditions—zero wind. The energy bumps up to 730. This is big, powerful surf. At over 7 ft, this is expert territory only. The period is only 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit dumpy and quick, but with glassy conditions and that much water moving, it’s going to be a heavy, hollow day for the brave. It rolls into Monday the 24th with similar 6 ft waves, clean and cross-off, still a good session.

For the beginner surfer, the best clean, small window is the morning of Friday, August 14th, with 4 ft and glassy conditions. The crowds at Waimea Rivermouth can be *sometimes* busy, so expect a few others in the water when it’s good. But for the real thrill seekers, the 23rd of August is the day to circle. It’s far out, so the forecast could shift, but right now it looks like the best offer.

Rusty.

Read more