Wainui Bay Chalet Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin'.

Okay, so we've only got one spot lighting up in the 16-day window, and that's Wainui Bay Chalet. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but there are some sessions worth paddling out for. The water is sitting at 55°, which is 3° colder than usual for this time of year – so you're gonna feel that chill straight through the wettie.

We kick things off this Sunday, July 26th, and honestly, it's nothing to write home about. The morning has a bit of a 7ft S'ly swell with a short 8-second period, and the cross-off wind keeps it clean, but the overall energy is only moderate (1088). It's pretty marginal. Don't get too excited.

Monday the 27th is where things start looking up. The morning is small and clean with a 4ft ESE groundswell at a very long 13 seconds, but it's Monday afternoon that's the standout. There's a solid 8ft S'ly swell with a 9-second period, and even though the wind is cross-shore, it's firing. The combined energy is well into the "strong" zone at 2228. That's the biggest and most powerful wave of the early window, but at over 8ft, this one is strictly for the experienced crew. It's going to be a proper lumpy, powerful beast.

Tuesday the 28th is another big day, with a 7ft SE groundswell and a very long 13-second period. The energy is even stronger at 3655, but the onshore wind swings in for the afternoon, making a mess of it. The morning holds some promise if you can handle the size.

Now for the real sweet spot. Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th are the ones to circle. Both mornings see that NW offshore wind blowing clean, with a 6ft and 4ft ESE swell respectively. The swell period is still nice and long (12-13 seconds), so the waves will have proper shape. These are the cleanest, most user-friendly conditions of the whole run. Crowds are "sometimes" a thing here, so be ready for company if the word gets out.

After that, it tapers off. Friday the 31st has some fun clean small waves in the afternoon, and then we hit a big dead spot. From the start of August, it gets ugly. From August 2nd through to the 4th, we're looking at strong onshore winds and messy, blown-out conditions with 10ft slop. That's kitesurfing territory, not surfing. There's a bit of clean low-energy dribble around the 7th and 8th, but nothing that's going to get your heart racing.

So, to sum it up: the best bet is to aim for Wednesday morning, July 29th, or Thursday morning, July 30th, at Wainui Bay Chalet. The swell is solid, the wind is clean offshore, and the energy is there without being terrifying. Get on it.

Rusty.

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