Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, then a few clean windows, and a whole lot of wind and rain later on. The real standout is going to be the middle of next week, but let’s walk through it.

The first proper session is Wednesday morning, July 8th. Wharariki Beach has a clean 2ft swell from the west, period at 14 seconds, and the wind is absolutely glassy – dead calm. That’s about as good as it gets for conditions. The water is sitting at 59°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a bonus. The combined energy is moderate at 217, so nothing too heavy, just fun, clean waves for an intermediate surfer. No crowds to worry about either.

Thursday morning, July 9th, the swell jumps to 5ft from the west with a long 16-second period. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the southeast, so the faces will be tidy. Energy is up there at 1308, so there’s some real push behind it. That’s a solid intermediate-level wave. By the afternoon it drops a touch to 4ft, still clean, but the wind stays up.

Friday morning, July 10th, is similar: 4ft, west swell, long 17-second period, but the wind is cross-off again, so it stays clean. Energy is 998. Friday afternoon drops to 4ft with a 16-second period, and the wind backs off a bit, making for very good conditions.

Saturday, July 11th, the morning is the real gem: 3ft of west swell with an 18-second period – that’s a long, clean groundswell. Light cross-off wind, clean as a whistle. Energy is 585. This is where the longer period means the waves will have better shape and more push for their size, and the paddling will be easier between sets. That’s the best of the first week, no question.

Sunday, July 12th, the wind swings onshore in the afternoon, and things go downhill from there. Monday, July 13th, is a write-off with strong onshore winds and rain. Tuesday, July 14th, is messy with thunderstorms and strong cross-chop.

Now, look ahead to Wednesday, July 15th. Wharariki Beach gets a solid 6ft to 7ft west swell, 16-second period, with clean cross-offshore winds from the southwest and west. The energy is massive at 1898 and 2007. This is proper, powerful swell. It’s big, over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners. The clean conditions are a major positive, but that size and long period will make it a bit straight at a beach break like this – better suited for more experienced surfers who can handle the size and the long lulls between sets.

Thursday, July 16th, is another good one: 5ft west swell, 15-second period, clean cross-off wind. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers, energy at 1135.

After that, the wind picks up again from Friday, July 17th, and it’s mostly blown out or too messy through the end of the run. The 18th and 19th have clean cross-off winds but the swell is small, under 3ft, with very long periods – that’s weak energy for the size. The final days, from July 20th onward, are all onshore wind or rain, with tiny swell and poor conditions.

So, to sum it up: Wednesday morning July 8th is a glassy, clean start. The best of the whole outlook is Saturday morning July 11th for the clean, long-period groundswell, and then Wednesday and Thursday July 15th-16th for the biggest, cleanest swell for experienced surfers. Don’t bother after that – it’s a long stretch of poor conditions.

Rusty.

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