Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got one spot on the radar this forecast period: Wharariki Beach. It’s an exposed beach that picks up a west-northwest swell, and it’s consistent, so there's always something to look at. The water’s sitting at 57° which is pretty standard for this time of year—nothing weird going on there.

The run starts this Friday the 14th, but honestly, it’s just small and marginal. Morning has 3ft from the west with a long 17-second period, but a cross-off SE breeze keeps it clean. Wave energy is weak (589). Afternoon drops to 2ft but stays clean with light south winds and a very long 18-second period (472). It’s not going to light the world on fire, but you can paddle out.

Saturday the 15th is where things get tasty. Morning glassy conditions with a light SSW breeze and a solid 6ft west swell, 16-second period, and strong wave energy (1756). That’s excellent for experienced surfers—big, clean, powerful lines rolling in. If you’ve got the skill, this is the standout morning of the early run. Afternoon stays around 6ft with a cross-off west breeze, still clean and fun for intermediates.

Sunday the 16th holds size at 6ft in the morning from the west, 16 seconds, strong energy (1745), but a SE cross-off wind at 12 mph keeps it clean-ish. The afternoon sees a bit more wind at 19 mph from the SSE, which is still cross-off, but it’s getting breezier. It’s still surfable for those comfortable with overhead waves.

Monday the 17th backs off to 5ft in the morning, very clean with light SE winds and a long 15-second period (858). Good conditions, but the afternoon turns a bit cross-on with WNW wind, though small and still okay for a grovel.

Tuesday morning the 18th is small at 3ft but glassy with an offshore SSE breeze, clean but weak (327). Afternoon gets messy with a strong cross-shore west wind—skip it.

Wednesday the 19th brings a nice little pulse: 4ft west swell, 16 seconds, clean morning with light SE cross-off winds (748). It’s very good surf conditions for the size. Thursday drops off again with weak, onshore winds.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Thursday the 20th afternoon through to the 23rd, it’s mostly blown out or tiny. Friday the 21st has 5ft but with a 16 mph cross-shore west wind making it ugly. Saturday and Sunday are a write-off with near-gale winds and messy seas. There’s about 4 or 5 days there with basically no good surf.

Monday the 24th shows a bit of hope: 8ft from the NNW with a short 8-second period and a cross-off WSW wind, but it’s clean. That’s big and raw—only for experts, and the short period makes it dumpy. Wave energy is strong (1109), but it’s more of a heavy, close-out beach break. If you’re a kite surfer, this whole stretch from the 21st to the 24th might look more interesting than paddle surfing.

Tuesday the 25th is the real late standout. Morning hits 5ft from the west, 16-second period, light SSW cross-off wind, and massive wave energy (2005). That’s excellent for experienced surfers—clean, powerful, long-period groundswell. Afternoon stays at 5ft, 15 seconds, still excellent. If you’re chasing quality, this Tuesday is the pick of the second week. It’s a bit far out, so call it promising but not locked in.

After that, the surf fades again into small, marginal stuff through to the end of the month. The last few days of August have clean tiny waves on the 28th and 29th, but nothing to get excited about.

Bottom line: Saturday the 15th morning and Tuesday the 25th morning are your two true standouts. The rest is filler or blown out.

-Rusty

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