Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Wharariki Beach has in store for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, but there’s a couple of gems if you know when to go.

Overall, the first few days are a write-off with onshore winds and sloppy surf. Then we get a solid pulse of long-period groundswell mid-week that cleans up nicely, before it fades into smaller, cleaner conditions for the weekend. The second week looks smaller and choppier, with a bigger swell right at the end that might be too much.

Starting Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th – just don’t bother. Monday morning has a tiny 2ft swell from the west with a 25 mph onshore wind, rain showers, and combined energy of 212 – that’s weak. Tuesday shows 6ft but with a short 8-second period and messy cross-shore winds, energy at 842. It’s ugly.

Now Wednesday the 15th is the first real call. We’ve got a 8ft west swell with a massive 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell. Combined energy is a strong 3008. The wind is a gentle cross-shore at 9 mph. That’s a lot of water, and because it’s long-period, it’ll be well-shaped but may close out on the beach. It’s over 5ft, so best for intermediates and up. The morning is the pick.

Thursday the 16th stays big at 7-7ft from the west, period dropping to 15 seconds, with clean cross-offshore winds at 22-25 mph. Energy is still high at 2188. Only for the experienced – strong wind and big swell. Friday the 17th drops to 4-5ft, still clean with cross-off winds, energy around 738-918. A solid option for a confident intermediate.

Then we hit the best of the bunch. Saturday the 18th morning has 4ft west swell, 14-second period, light 6 mph cross-offshore wind, energy 703 – clean and fun. But the afternoon is the standout: 3ft swell, but the period jumps to 18 seconds, with glassy light winds. Combined energy reads 1223. That’s a beautiful, clean groundswell with long lines – for experienced surfers, this is it. Sunday the 19th morning is still decent with 4ft and moderate cross-off wind, but the afternoon goes glassy again: 4ft west swell, 16-second period, with a 3 mph glassy wind. Energy 730. A second beautiful session.

The first week then fades. Monday the 20th through Wednesday the 22nd drops to 2ft or less most days, with periods around 12-14 seconds. Energy falls to 119-500. Winds stay clean but it’s small. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th get nasty with strong 28+ mph southeasterlies and a short-period 5ft swell – hard pass.

Into the second week, Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th see a building northwest swell, hitting 7ft on Sunday morning, but the period is short at 8-9 seconds. Energy picks up to 1216, but with fresh cross-off winds, it’s lumpy – only for the keen.

Finally, Monday the 28th morning has a clean 2ft west swell with a long 15-second period and light wind – energy 429. A nice little dawn session. But Tuesday the 29th afternoon throws up a huge 10ft swell from the north-northwest with an 11-second period and light cross-on wind. Energy is 2188, but it’s too big for Wharariki – expert only.

So my two true standouts? Saturday 18th July afternoon – 3ft, 18-second groundswell, glassy. And Wednesday 15th July morning – 8ft, 16-second west swell with gentle cross-shore wind, for when you want power without chaos.

Wharariki Beach is exposed and can get a few people on it sometimes, but with these windows you might score it quiet. Water temp is 58°, which is about normal for this time of year.

- Rusty

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