Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for our stretch of coast.

Right off the bat, I gotta tell ya, it's a rough start. The first few days are a write-off. We're looking at a solid block of nothing from Friday the 4th right through until Tuesday the 8th. The wind is howling, the swell is all over the place, and it's just not worth paddling out. It's a real kick in the teeth, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

The first real chance to get wet doesn't come until Tuesday the 8th of September, and even then it's a marginal call. Wharariki Beach is the only game in town. Tuesday morning is looking at a 4 ft swell from the west, with a 13-second period. The combined wave energy is sitting at a moderate 506. The wind is crossing-offshore, which should keep the surface clean. It's not going to be a world-beater, but you might find a few. Tuesday afternoon bumps up a touch to 5 ft from the west, period drops to 12 seconds, and the energy is a moderate 675. Still clean, still marginal. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no major surprises there.

Honestly, the standout period is a long way off, but it's worth keeping an eye on. The 11th of September, that's a Friday. Wharariki Beach is set to see a massive 15 ft groundswell from the west, with a very long 19-second period. The combined energy is a massive 13341 – that's some serious power. The wind is forecast to be light, crossing-offshore, making for clean conditions. The only problem is, at over 8 ft, this is strictly for the experts. It's a heavy, powerful, long-period groundswell, which might not be the best for a beach break, but if you're experienced and know the spot, it could be an incredible session. It's a long way out, so don't book the day off work just yet, but it's a promising blip on the radar.

After that, the 14th of September, a Monday afternoon, looks like a more user-friendly option. We're looking at a 5 ft west swell with a 15-second period and a moderate energy of 1125. The wind is forecast to be light from the northeast, going glassy. That's a magic word. It's excellent conditions for experienced surfers, so expect a clean, well-shaped wave.

The rest of the 16-day window is a mixed bag of too much wind, too much swell, or messy conditions. The 18th of September, a Friday afternoon, does have another clean 8 ft WNW swell with a 12-second period and a light offshore wind, which is another one for the experienced crew.

So, to wrap it up: The first week is a dud. The clear standout is the 11th of September for the big-wave chargers, but it's a long-range call. The most reliable, clean option for the intermediate surfer is likely the Monday afternoon on the 14th of September. Keep your eyes on the forecasts because it can change, but for now, that's the story.

Rusty.

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