Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for Wharariki Beach. It’s a proper exposed spot, wide open to the northwest, so when the swell lines up, it can be a sight to behold. But the next couple of weeks are a mixed bag, with some real potential and some proper blowouts, so you’ll need to pick your moments.

The first few days are a write-off, to be honest. Friday the 24th is a mess – that 10-foot swell from the northwest, but it’s got a short 8-second period and a screaming 28 mph NNW wind making it cross-on. It’s all just lumpy, onshore slop. The combined energy is high (1125), but it’s all wind and no form. Friday afternoon is a bit smaller at 8 feet but still messy. Saturday the 25th is a no-go as well, with a 12 to 13-foot swell from the west, but a near gale-force 34 mph SW wind is making it clean? Well, the conditions are clean in the sense of no rain, but the wind is so strong it’s just a howling, blown-out mess. Too big and too windy for any sane paddle.

Things start to look up on Sunday the 26th. The swell drops to 6 feet, still from the west, with a lovely 14-second period – proper groundswell. The wind is a light SE cross-off at 15 mph, and the combined energy is still chunky at 1578. It’s rated as marginal, but that’s a lot better than the past few days. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no shock to the system. This is where it gets interesting. By Sunday afternoon, the wind drops right off to a 3 mph easterly, near glassy. The swell is 5 feet at 14 seconds. This is your first real chance. The sets will be lined up, but with that long period and an exposed beach break, expect them to close out in sections. It’s a Sunday session, so expect a few others out, but it’ll be worth it for the clean lines.

Monday the 27th morning is a standout. A 5-foot west swell, 13-second period, and a light SSW cross-off at 6 mph. Clean surfing. The combined energy is 737, which is a solid, workable amount of power. This is a good window for intermediate surfers. The afternoon gets a bit weaker as the wind picks up to 12 mph, but still clean.

Tuesday the 28th morning is about as good as it gets for a clean, small day. 3 feet of west swell, 11 seconds, with a 3 mph SSE offshore wind. That’s glassy perfection. The combined energy is low (245), but the shape will be there on the sets. It’s a classic for a fun mid-morning paddle. The afternoon turns into a bit of a dud with a short 5-second period, so don’t bother.

The middle of the week (Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th) is a bit of a mess again. The wind is up and cross-shore, ruining the shape, even though Thursday shows a massive 16-second period swell and very high energy (2472 and 5167). The swell is 7 to 8 feet – that’s getting into expert-only territory, and with 28 mph winds, it’s just a washing machine. Only for the hardcore.

The real gem in this whole outlook is a long way off, so mark your calendars. Wednesday the 5th of August. Both morning and afternoon are exceptional. The morning sees a 5-foot swell from the west, 17-second period, with a light 6 mph offshore wind from the south. The afternoon goes even better: 6 feet of west swell, 15-second period, and a 3 mph northeast wind that turns it glassy. The combined energy is 1576 and 1581 – solid, powerful, and clean. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers, and that’s bang on. The direction is a perfect west swell for this exposed west-facing beach. It’s a long way out, so the forecast might shift, but if it holds, that is the day to pull a sickie. Crowds are possible, but with that level of quality, you’ll be sharing the peak with a few other keen locals.

The days around it are a bit of a gamble. Thursday the 6th has a clean window in the afternoon with a light SSW wind, but it’s a bit smaller. The following weekend (8th and 9th) looks smaller and more onshore again.

So, to sum it up: the first few days are a bust. The best bets are Sunday the 26th afternoon and Monday the 27th morning for a clean, fun session. The absolute standout, the one you want to save your energy for, is Wednesday the 5th of August. That’s the one with the glassy conditions and quality west swell. Keep an eye on that.

Rusty.

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