Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what we've got coming up for Wharariki Beach.

We're kicking off with a big pulse of swell on Friday the 11th of September, but honestly, it's going to be a messy start. The combined energy is a massive 4481 (moderate wave energy) on Friday morning, with an 8ft swell from the west. But that westerly wind is ripping through at 25 mph and that makes for a difficult, gusty session. It's coming from the exposed west, but the cross-off wind keeps it from being a total write-off. The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is basically average for this time of year. The swell builds through Friday afternoon to 10ft, and the energy jumps to 5861, but the wind gets even stronger at 28 mph. This is not a session for the faint-hearted; that size is heading towards expert territory and the wind is a proper fight.

Come Saturday the 12th, we’ve got more of the same: solid 10ft west swell with energy at 4279 in the morning and 6809 in the afternoon. The winds drop back a little, 16 mph in the morning and 19 mph in the afternoon, but it's still fresh and cross-off. It's still too big and powerful for most, though you'd get some big, clean-ish lines if you've got the nerve.

The standout session for the experienced crew is Monday morning, the 14th of September. We get a drop in size to 6ft from the west, with a very nice 16-second period and a combined energy of 1388 (moderate wave energy). The wind swings light offshore, coming from the south at just 3 mph. That is the clean call of the early week. This will be a beautiful, well-shaped long-period groundswell. It's a bit less consistent with that long period between sets, but the paddle out will be easy and the faces will be smooth. This window is the best on offer for a quality, uncrowded session.

A few mornings later, on Tuesday the 15th, there's a window early with a 3ft, 15-second west swell and light cross-off winds at 6 mph. The energy is low at 372 (weak wave energy). It's tiny but clean, good for a longboard on the inside.

From there, things go a bit average for a long stretch. Wednesday the 16th through to Tuesday the 22nd is a weak, messy period. The swell stays small to middling, the wind is either cross or cross-off, and it's often lumpy. There’s a lot of poor and marginal forecasts in there. The 17th of September has rain showers and strong wind, making for a dirty, out-of-control beach.

However, looking further out, we get another beautiful window on the morning of Monday the 21st of September. A light 6 mph south-east cross-off wind, with a 4ft west swell and a 14-second period. The energy is a modest 711 (weak wave energy), but the winds are light and the surf is clean. It's a promising, under-the-radar session.

Later on, the afternoon of Wednesday the 23rd of September shows a real anomaly: a tiny 2ft swell with a 20-second period from the west, under very light winds. The energy is only 536 (weak wave energy) but the period is incredibly long. This will only break properly on the reef or rivermouth sections of the beach, if at all. It's a rare one to keep in the back of your mind for a glassy, quiet paddle.

All in all, the pick of the whole window is that Monday morning the 14th. The early morning of Monday the 21st is the next best long-shot call for clean, small waves. For the rest, it's mostly about wind management and picking the smaller, cleaner windows.

Rusty.

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