Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m lookin’ at the coast here over the next couple of weeks. There’s a slow start—no point sugar-coating it. First few days are pretty grim with strong cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions. We’re talkin’ about a nearly three-day stretch of nothing worth paddling for.

But if you’re patient, the payoff lands on Saturday, 15 August, in the afternoon at Wharariki Beach. The wind goes offshore out of the south at 12 mph, clean and glassy. The west swell delivers waves averaging 8 ft with a long 18-second period. That’s a heavy groundswell, and it’s pumping—energy reading is 3250. This spot is exposed, takes the optimum northwest swell, and the lineup will have some serious power. Not for beginners—at this size, you’d better be comfortable in overhead surf. The sets will be clean, lined up, and the conditions will be excellent for experienced crew.

Sunday, 16 August, afternoon runs a close second—6 ft west swell, still a strong 16-second period, with a light south-southeast offshore breeze at 12 mph. Not as big as Saturday, but cleaner and very consistent.

Water temp is around 57° right now, about a degree off what’s normal for this time of year, so it’s not unusually cold or warm. Again, a 3/2 wetsuit is fine.

Monday, 17 August, afternoon goes totally glassy—east-northeast wind goes dead calm, the swell drops to 4 ft, but the ride is smooth and clean. That’s a good session for the intermediate crew who want a fun, workable wave.

The days before Saturday are a mess. Wednesday the 12th through Friday the 14th are cross-shore, onshore, or just weak and messy. Wednesday the 12th afternoon gets a quick blast of north wind at 21 mph with 6 ft waves and only 7-second period—total closeout slop.

Into the second week, from the 18th onward, things get smaller. We’re talkin’ waves in the 2–3 ft range with long-period west swell (14–16 seconds) and clean, light winds in the morning. On Tuesday the 18th afternoon, a 5 mph northwesterly goes glassy, making those 3 ft waves super clean. Wednesday the 19th morning, Thursday the 20th morning and afternoon, they all have light airs and clean lines. Friday the 21st morning has some clouds and a gentle 9 mph ESE cross-off wind—nothing special, but it’s surfable.

From the 22nd onward, the surf fades hard—waves drop to 1–2 ft, and the wind starts howling. The 24th and 25th have strong southeast winds over 25 mph, with a very long-period west swell (19–21 seconds), but it’s blown out and messy—maybe worth it for the kite crew, but not for a paddle.

Bottom line: Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are your best shot. After that, it’s small but clean.

Rusty.

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