Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Rusty here, dialled into the forecast for Wharariki Beach. It’s a wild stretch of exposed coast out here, and the next couple of weeks are lookin’ like a real mixed bag of power and pain. We’ve got a monster run of swell on the way, but the wind is gonna be the main character for a lot of it, and that’s not always a good thing.

To start, there’s a bit of a wait. The first few days are a write-off. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are an absolute mess with a strong cross-shore wind and waves that are just lumpy and ugly. The swell is there, but you wouldn’t want to be out in it. The energy is moderate to very strong (493 to 2593), but it’s all for nothing with that wind. Saturday the 5th morning has some potential, but it’s a big one. We’re lookin’ at a 10.0 ft swell from the west with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is massive (3405). The wind is cross-offshore and clean, so the waves will be shaped, but at 10.0 ft, this is expert territory only. It’s simply too big for most.

The real standout, and the only time I’d be paddling out, is Monday morning, the 7th of September. The stars finally align. We’ve got a 6.6 ft swell from the west-northwest, which is the optimum direction for this break, with a 10-second period. The wind is a light offshore from the south at only 9.3 mph, so it’s gonna be glassy and clean. The combined energy is strong (1611), and the report says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That’s your window. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no need to worry about a weird thermal shock. Crowds are never a problem here, so you’ll likely have it all to yourself.

After that, it’s back to the struggle. The wind swings around again through the week, and the swell just keeps hammering. By the 10th and 11th of September, we’re talkin’ 13.0 ft + swell from the west with periods up to 18 seconds. The energy readings are off the charts (10121 on the 11th morning), but the wind is a strong cross-offshore, which cleans it up a bit. Still, 13.0 ft is a monster, and even with clean conditions, that’s a paddle-out for the absolute elite only. The long period (18 seconds) will make these waves fat and powerful, and at a beach break like Wharariki, they’ll be breaking fast and straight, which is a real handful.

The second week is a repeat of the same story. The swell stays big, and the wind is relentless. Strong to near-gale cross-shore and cross-offshore winds dominate. By the 16th and 18th of September, we’re still seeing 10.0 ft swell with very long periods (18 seconds) and very strong energy (4684). The wind is still a problem, though. The 18th morning has a fresh cross-shore, but the energy is just too much for a fun paddle. It’s a constant battle between big swell and bad wind.

If you’re a kite surfer, this stretch is gonna be a dream. The strong, consistent cross-shore wind and the big, clean swell are a perfect combo. But for a paddle surfer, the only real shot is Monday morning, the 7th. That’s the one. Don’t miss it.

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