Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, you’ve made it to the right spot. I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at this stretch of coast for a lifetime. Let’s talk about what’s coming.

First off, the water temp here at Wharariki Beach is sitting at 57°F, which is about normal for this time of year. Nothing weird there, just your standard chilly winter water.

The next few days are a bit of a write-off, to be honest. This Saturday afternoon the 8th of August, we’ve got a 5ft NW swell but it’s onshore wind from the north at 16 mph, and the energy is only moderate (425). The surf is poor. Sunday the 9th has a bit more size – 8ft on Sunday morning from the NNW – but the wind is cross and it’s messy, with combined energy climbing to 1122. Afternoon gets worse with a 19 mph cross wind. Not the kind of day you paddle out for.

Monday the 10th has a weird one: a 3ft swell with a super long 16-second period in the morning, offshore wind from the WSW, and it’s clean. But that’s a tiny wave, and the energy is still moderate (688). The afternoon picks up to 5ft with a 15-second period, but the wind goes cross and lumpy. Not the best.

Honestly, the next week is a grind. There’s a long stretch from the 11th right through the 13th with barely anything rideable – small waves, bad wind directions, and a lot of poor conditions. The combined energy dips into the low hundreds. It’s a blank run.

Finally, we get a glimmer. On the 14th of August, Friday morning, the wind drops to 3 mph from the west, cross-shore, with a 4ft, 9-second swell. Energy is still moderate (629) and it’s marginal, but at least the wind is light. That’s the first time you might get a few clean ones.

But the standout – the one you’ve been waiting for – is the weekend of the 15th and 16th. Saturday the 15th of August, morning: a 7ft W swell with a 12-second period, clean cross-offshore wind from the WSW at 25 mph. That’s a lot of wind, but it’s offshore, so the waves will be groomed. Combine energy is a solid 1865. By the afternoon, the swell jumps to 8ft from the west with a 16-second period, clean cross-off wind, and the energy hits 3880. That’s strong. This is expert territory – over 8ft, powerful, long-period groundswell. If you’re experienced, Saturday afternoon is the pick of the whole forecast. Sunday the 16th morning is still good: 7ft, 16-second period, glassy wind from the west at 3 mph. Energy is 1988. That’s a top-notch session.

After that, the surf drops off again. The 17th and 18th are windy and small. Then, in the second week, we get a couple of real treats. Wednesday the 19th of August morning: 4ft from the west, 15-second period, and the wind is glassy – northeast at 3 mph. Energy is 781. The forecast says “very good surf conditions.” That’s a clean, easy paddle-out with long-period lines. Not too big, not too small. Thursday the 20th morning is another glassy one: 3ft, 14-second period, light SSE wind, energy 377. Good for a fun session.

And then the 23rd of August, Sunday: both morning and afternoon are glassy. Morning has a 3ft, 14-second west swell, energy 606. Afternoon: 3ft, 17-second west swell, energy 640. Both are “very good surf conditions.” That’s a long-range standout – promising, but you know how it is more than a week out. Still, it’s worth marking on the calendar.

So, the best on offer: Saturday 15th afternoon for the big, powerful groundswell (8ft, W, 16 seconds, clean cross-off wind) – that’s for the experts. And Sunday 23rd afternoon for the glassy, long-period, clean conditions with a 3ft, 17-second west swell – that’s the one to dream on.

Rusty.

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