Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve been staring at the charts for Wharariki Beach, and honestly, it’s a rough stretch ahead. The first week is a write-off, and the second week is only for the brave. We’re looking at a solid 16-day window, but don’t get your hopes up too early.

The first real chance to get wet doesn’t arrive until Monday the 24th, and even then, it’s not for the faint-hearted. The swell is pumping from the West with a period of 15 seconds, pushing 10 feet. That’s a proper groundswell, with a combined energy of 7923 (moderate wave energy) – you can feel that power in your chest. The wind is offshore from the WSW, so the face will be clean, but the size is a problem. At 10 feet, this is strictly for experts. Beginners, stay home and watch the show. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

That same energy rolls into the afternoon, still clean and offshore, but still 10 feet. It’s a long-period swell, and at Wharariki, which is an exposed beach break, that long period can make the waves break a bit straight and close out. It’s not ideal, but for the experienced crew, there will be some bombs.

The next standout is Saturday the 29th in the afternoon. The swell jumps to 10 feet from the NW, with a very long period of 19 seconds. That’s a massive groundswell, and the combined energy is a whopping 6745 (strong wave energy). The wind is fresh cross-shore, so it’s lumpy, but the size and period mean the energy is deep. Again, this is a big-wave day. Anything over 8 feet is expert-only, and this is pushing 10 feet. The swell direction is NW, which is the optimum for this spot, but with that period, expect long, waiting sets. It’s a beast.

Sunday the 30th morning offers another look at 12 feet from the WNW, clean with cross-off winds. The combined energy reads 1747 (moderate wave energy). It’s still big, but the wind is better. The period has dropped to 9 seconds, which is a shorter, wind-affected swell, so the shape won’t be as good as the previous day. It’s still a paddle for experts only.

Monday the 31st morning is the last real highlight. 10 feet from the West, 12-second period, and gentle cross-off winds from the SW. The combined energy is 2685 (moderate wave energy). It’s still big, but the wind is weak, so the surface will be glassy. This is probably the most manageable of the big days, but don’t kid yourself – it’s still a solid 10 feet.

After that, the swell stays big but the conditions get messy. Tuesday September 1st morning has 8 feet from the West with a long 17-second period, clean, but the combined energy is 3840 (strong wave energy). It’s a marginal call. The rest of the first week of September is a mix of rain, strong onshore winds, and poor conditions. The swell is too big and the wind is too aggressive.

There’s a gap of almost a full week between the first decent day on the 24th and the next one on the 29th. It’s a long wait for brief windows. The last flicker of hope is Sunday September 6th morning, with 7 feet from the West, a 15-second period, and a gentle cross-shore breeze from the East. Combined energy is 2209 (moderate wave energy). It’s marginal, but it might just be a clean, smaller day for the intermediates if the tide aligns.

Overall, if you’re an expert and you can handle the size, the 24th, 29th, 30th, and 31st are your days. The best of the bunch is probably Monday the 24th – the first day of the run, with offshore winds and a clean, powerful groundswell. For everyone else, this is a time to wax your board and wait.

Rusty.

Read more