Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The next 16 days start with a bit of a wait, but once things kick off, there’s some real quality in the mix.

The first proper surf window opens on Monday, July 27th, with a clean, 5ft swell from the west. The period is a solid 12 seconds, so there’s some good energy behind it. The morning is the pick – a light cross-offshore breeze from the southeast, keeping the faces clean. The combined energy is moderate (715). The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is just a touch warmer than average for this time of year, so nothing too wild. This is a good, solid start for intermediate surfers.

Monday afternoon sees a drop in quality as the wind swings onshore, so get out there early.

Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are small and ordinary – waves around 3ft to 3ft, with okay conditions but nothing to get excited about. The wind is light and cross-shore, so the surf is there, but it’s very average.

Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are a write-off. Rain showers, strong winds, and lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell is all over the place, and the energy is high but ugly. Stay out of the water.

Now, here’s the standout. Saturday, August 1st, in the morning at Wharariki Beach. The swell is a big 10ft out of the west, with a 13-second period. The combined energy is strong (3049). The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the southeast, so the surf is going to be powerful and clean. But listen – this is a lot of water. At 10ft, it’s only for experienced surfers. Beginners, this is a hard pass. The afternoon drops to 7ft, but the wind goes light and cross-shore, so it’s still heavy but slightly more manageable.

Sunday, August 2nd, is a solid follow-up. Morning sees a 5ft west swell with a clean offshore wind from the south-southwest, and the energy is moderate (506). The surf is clean and well-shaped. Good for intermediates.

The next real spark comes on Tuesday, August 4th. The afternoon session at Wharariki Beach is the pick of the second week. You’ve got a 5ft west swell, a long 16-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy is solid (1145), and the waves are clean, with excellent shape. This is a proper day for experienced surfers to get some long, lined-up waves.

The rest of the second week is a mixed bag. Wednesday the 5th has some size (6ft) but a short 8-second period and a messy cross-shore wind, so it’s not great. From Thursday the 6th through to Saturday the 8th, it’s small and clean but weak – waves under 3ft and light winds, but the energy is low. Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th offer a little more (3ft to 4ft), clean, but still marginal.

The final couple of days, Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th, look messy with rain and strong onshore winds. Not worth paddling out for.

So, the best of the bunch: Monday morning July 27th for a clean start, and the absolute standout is Tuesday afternoon, August 4th, for that clean, long-period west swell. If you’re experienced, Saturday morning August 1st is the big one, but it’s a handful.

Rusty.

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