Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what's happening at Wharariki Beach.

First, the water temp is 57°, right on the average for this time of year. The swell energy is already showing 151 in the combined energy of all swells directed here, and that's just the start.

The first couple of days, Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th of July, are a washout. There's a bit of 3ft to 3ft swell from the west, but the wind is cross or cross-on, and the energy is moderate at best. The surf is just no good. Thursday the 30th gets worse, with a jump to 6ft from the NNW but a strong 25 mph cross-on wind making a mess of it, and the combined energy of all swells directed here hitting 519. Friday the 31st is absolutely wild, with 12ft to 13ft swell and gale-force cross-winds at 37 mph. The combined energy of all swells directed here blows up to 4978, but it's a total riot for anyone but a kite surfer.

Now, the standout. Saturday the 1st of August morning is where it's at. The swell drops to a solid 8ft from the west, with a 13-second period (groundswell), and the wind goes light cross-off from the SSW at 9 mph. The combined energy of all swells directed here is still a beefy 2223. It's excellent surf, but at 8ft, it's only for experienced surfers. The crowd factor is "never" at Wharariki, so you'll have the place to yourself. The afternoon cleans up even more with offshore 6 mph south winds and 6ft swell, still a 12-second period.

Sunday the 2nd of August morning is a good option for the intermediates, with 3ft west swell and a 9-second period, light ESE cross-off, and clean conditions. The combined energy of all swells directed here is 212. The afternoon gets a bit onshore and marginal.

The next big one to mark on your calendar is Monday the 3rd of August morning. That's a 7ft west swell with a 19-second period – very long period groundswell. The combined energy of all swells directed here is a massive 3795, but the wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-off. The surf is there, but the strong wind makes it marginal. It's a powerful, clean swell, but the wind is honking.

Things settle down into a quieter pattern after that. The 4th and 5th see smaller west swells of 3ft to 5ft, with moderate winds. The combined energy of all swells directed here drops to the 200s and 600s. Then the 6th to the 9th of August are mostly small, ordinary waves, with the best being the 8th of August, where a 4ft north swell with a light cross-off and a combined energy of 365 gives some clean waves.

The second week gets a bit more interesting. Monday the 10th of August morning is a dark horse. A 7ft swell from the WNW, with a short 7-second period, but light cross-off wind from the SSE. The combined energy of all swells directed here is 484, so it's a bit of a dumpy, punchy wave. Not perfect, but clean.

Then, the real long-range promise: Wednesday the 12th of August morning. A 4ft west swell, but with a 19-second period and glassy conditions. The combined energy of all swells directed here is 1385. That's the kind of long-period, glassy session that gets the heart pumping. It's a bit of a wait, and it's a long-range call, so keep an eye on it, but it looks like a nice one for the experienced crew.

So, the best of the best: Saturday the 1st of August morning for the big, clean groundswell (8ft, W, 13s, light cross-off, 2223 energy). The second pick is the glassy Wednesday the 12th of August morning (4ft, W, 19s, 1385 energy). That's the one to dream about. There's a gap of a few days of ordinary surf around the 5th to the 7th, but the forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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