Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for this stretch, and to be honest, the next few days are pretty average. We’ve got a run of small, messy surf from the get-go, but there’s a solid pulse of proper groundswell coming in the second half of next week that’s got me a bit excited.

Right now, Tuesday the 11th is a write-off. The swell’s a tiny 2 to 2 ft from the west with a real long period, 13 to 19 seconds, but the ESE wind is blowing cross-offshore at 16 mph, and the combined energy is only moderate (234 to 388). The conditions are clean, but the wave comment says it’s marginal or poor. Not worth the paddle.

Wednesday the 12th is even more ordinary. The morning drops to a piddly 2 ft west swell with 16-second period, energy tanked to 157, and still some cross-off wind. By the afternoon, a cross-shore breeze kicks in, and we see a new N swell of 4 ft but with a shocking 7-second period—short-period junk. The comment calls it poor.

Thursday the 13th is a no-go. Onshore wind from the north hits 19 mph, swell bumps up to 4–5 ft from WNW, but the energy is strong (894–963), and the wave comment is a dead loss: poor surf conditions.

Friday the 14th stays marginal to poor. Swell fades to 2–3 ft west swell with long period (17–18 seconds), energy moderate (480–559), but the cross-off wind is still there. Nothing to rush for.

Now, Saturday the 15th is where it starts to look interesting. The morning serves up a west swell of 6 ft with a 17-second period, and combined energy is very strong at 1881. The wind goes nearly glassy offshore out of the south at just 3 mph. The wave comment is excellent for experienced surfers. By the afternoon, the swell edges up to 6 ft, energy at 1927, with a light cross-off breeze. This is the standout of the period—for experienced crew only. Over 5 ft and packing power, this is a proper groundswell for Wharariki Beach. The west swell matches the optimum NW direction as close as we’re gonna get. Water temp is about average for the time of year, no major anomaly worth noting. Just be mindful, a period of 17 seconds means that swell will be long and clean at this exposed beach break, but it’ll hold its shape. Crowds? This spot “never” gets packed, so you’ll have it mostly to yourself.

Sunday the 16th holds at 5 ft west swell with 15–16 seconds, energy still strong at 1010–1065, but the cross-off wind picks up to 16 mph in the morning, and the afternoon has a light cross-shore breeze from the east. The comment slips back to marginal, so it’s a comedown from Saturday.

Monday the 17th is a glassy morning gem. Swell drops to 4 ft west with 14-second period, but the ENE wind is dead calm at 3 mph—glassy conditions. Combined energy is moderate at 619, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s the best small-wave option in the whole run. Perfect for intermediate surfers on the longboards. By afternoon, a cross-on wind from the NW spoils it.

Tuesday the 18th through to the end of the forecast is a slow fade. Tuesday morning has 3 ft west swell, 14-second period, light SE wind giving clean conditions, but energy is moderate (405). The comment says “expect good surf conditions,” so it’s rideable, but nothing special. Wednesday the 19th morning is another glassy session with 4 ft west swell, 15-second period, flat calm, and “very good surf conditions” again. Winsday arvo holds clean but with a cross-off breeze.

After that, from Thursday the 20th onward, the swell steadily drops to 1–3 ft, energy weakens into double digits (84–158), and the comments are “poor” or “surfable but very ordinary.” There’s a gap of several days with no real standouts—just small, weak swell. Last whisper is Wednesday the 26th morning with 2 ft, 14-second west swell, a wisp of cross-off wind, and only 158 energy.

Overall, your best bet is Saturday the 15th for the bigger, powerful west groundswell with glassy offshore winds for the experienced, or Monday the 17th early for a glassy, clean 4 ft session if you want it easier. The rest, you’re better off checking the kite surfers or staying home.

Rusty.

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