Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's coming our way. We've got one break to focus on for this whole stretch: Wharariki Beach. It's a consistent, exposed spot that’s open to the northwest, so when the swell lines up, it can be a real beauty. The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The opening weekend kicks off with a big pulse. Saturday the 12th is packing serious power but it’s just too much of a good thing. We're talking a 10ft swell from the west with a 16-second period—that's a long-period groundswell with a massive combined energy reading of 3990 on the morning and a whopping 7015 in the afternoon. That's very strong energy. The wind is a cross-off, but the swell height is simply too big for this break. It’s for the experts only at best, and honestly, the forecast says it's too big for the spot. We'll sit this one out.

Sunday the 13th drops down to a more manageable 5ft in the morning and 5ft in the afternoon, still a solid west swell with a long 16 to 17-second period. The energy is still moderate to strong (2139 and 1677). But the wind picks up to a fresh breeze from the WSW, which is cross-off. The quality call is marginal, so nothing to get too excited about.

Monday the 14th morning is where we see a real window. The swell settles to 6ft from the west (16-second period), and the wind is a light 3 mph from the SSW—basically a slight breeze, keeping it clean. Combined energy is 1391, moderate. The forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That's a standout moment. The afternoon gets messy with the wind picking up again, so hit it early.

The rest of that week into the next is a bit of a write-off. Tuesday the 15th morning has a tiny 3ft wave, and it goes downhill from there with strong winds out of the west. Wednesday the 16th is a total mess with lumpy cross-chop and weak energy. Thursday and Friday have some size, but the wind is always there to mess it up. The 7ft to 7ft west swells are there, but it's just not clean.

Now, here's the real highlight of the whole outlook. Sunday the 20th afternoon is the absolute pick of the fortnight. The swell is a solid 8ft from the west, with a 16-second period, giving us a very strong 3120 combined energy reading. The wind is glassy—completely dead from the ENE at 3 mph. The forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is it. That's a proper gem. The morning of Sunday the 20th is also good with 5ft and clean, but the afternoon is the one to circle.

Monday the 21st morning is another good call with 6ft west swell and light offshore SSE winds. Tuesday the 22nd morning has clean 6ft waves but energy is dropping. Wednesday the 23rd afternoon looks promising with 8ft and a slight breeze, and then we get another glassy morning on Thursday the 24th with 7ft from the west and a 16-second period—another strong energy day at 2354. That's a beauty.

The final weekend (Saturday the 27th) brings a big west swell again, 7ft to 7ft, but the wind turns cross-shore, so quality takes a hit.

Best on offer: Without question, that Sunday the 20th afternoon glassy session at Wharariki Beach, with the 8ft west swell. The Monday the 14th morning and Thursday the 24th morning are next in line for clean, powerful waves.

Stay safe, don't get too frothy on that big Saturday swell, and I'll see you out there for that glassy Sunday.

Rusty

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