Wainui Bay Chalet Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Right, let's have a look at what's on the cards for this stretch. The main game in town is Wainui Bay Chalet, and it's a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks.

We kick off on Tuesday, the 28th of July, with some solid but tricky conditions. The swell is pumping in at a meaty 7ft from the SE, with a long 13-second period, giving it plenty of grunt. The combined energy is a massive 3199, so there's a heap of water moving. But the wind is coming from the SW, making it cross, and the water is sitting at 56°, which is a touch colder than usual for this time of year. Honestly, it's looking a bit too big and messy for a proper paddle session. Tuesday afternoon gets a bit smaller, 7ft, but the wind strengthens and it's still cross, so it's a pass.

Come Wednesday morning, the 29th of July, things clean right up. The wind swings to the WNW and turns offshore at a light 6 mph. The swell drops to a much more manageable 6ft from the ESE, still with a nice 13-second period. The energy has dropped to 877, but it's clean. This is the first real standout. The conditions are looking very good, with clean lines and light offshore breeze. It won't be empty though, as this spot can get a crowd sometimes.

Thursday the 30th of July is another good one. Morning sees a light offshore NNW breeze at 9 mph with a 4ft ESE swell, 12-second period, and energy of 515. The afternoon picks up a bit of wind, but it's still offshore from the NW at 12 mph, holding the 4ft swell clean. Both sessions are looking good, with the morning being the pick for the cleanest, glassy conditions. Friday the 31st of July sees the swell drop right off to 3ft. The wind is offshore, but it's small and ordinary. Not really worth getting wet for.

The weekend goes a bit pear-shaped. Saturday the 1st of August is a write-off with strong, lumpy cross-shore winds and a messy, short-period swell. Sunday the 2nd of August starts with a big 8ft S swell and a 12-second period, energy of 3028. The wind is cross-off, so it *looks* clean, but that's a lot of water. For the average punter, that's getting into expert territory, especially with the size. The afternoon gets blown out with a strong 25 mph cross wind and a 10ft swell, which is just a washing machine.

Monday the 3rd of August is a bit of a mixed session. The morning is cross, but the afternoon! Monday afternoon turns glassy. The wind dies to a dead calm, the swell is a clean 4ft from the SE with an 11-second period. That's a sneaky good session if you can get out there. The energy is a moderate 436.

Now, here's a real standout for the experienced crew. Tuesday the 4th of August. The morning is small at 2ft, but the afternoon brings a very long-period groundswell from the SSE. We're talking 5ft with a 17-second period, energy of 1580. That's a proper, long-period groundswell. For a point break setup like Wainui, that's going to mean some beautifully lined-up, powerful waves. The wind is a light cross-off, keeping it clean. This is an excellent call for experienced surfers, just be aware the long period can make it a bit tricky to get into position, but the shape will be epic.

The rest of the week looks average at best. Wednesday the 5th of August gets blown out with a strong 19 mph cross wind, and Thursday the 6th of August sees a massive 10ft cross swell with energy of 3985, which is just too big with the wind. The 7th of August is absolutely gigantic, with a 16ft S swell. That's for tow-in crews or nobody. The combined energy hits 17501, which is just insane. Definitely not for paddling.

The following week from the 8th of August onwards is a write-off. The wind is howling from the SW, creating messy, cross and cross-on conditions every day. The swell is there, but it's all wind-affected and lumpy. There's a small window on the 12th of August with a clean cross-off breeze, but the swell is short-period and weak. It's a tough run.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Wednesday morning the 29th of July for a solid, clean, manageable swell. The absolute standout for the experienced surfer is Tuesday afternoon the 4th of August, with that long-period groundswell. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or way too big. Get it while you can.

Rusty.

Read more