Wanjapu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your coffee, I’m Rusty. Let’s break down what’s on offer for this stretch of coast. We’re looking at a bit of a slow start, but there’s some serious firepower coming down the line, so don’t write this one off.

It’s all about Wanjapu. A solid SW-facing reef break that’s consistent and needs that SW swell direction to really light up. The water temp is sitting at 79°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year – no warm or cold surprises to worry about for that first session.

The first few days aren't much to write home about. Friday the 24th through to the end of July is mostly a write-off. We’ve got a mix of cross-shore winds and chop, with the odd bit of S/SSE swell hanging around but with short, weak periods. The combined swell energy is hovering in the moderate range (around 590 to 811), but the wind is just messy. A few mornings might look clean on paper, but the conditions are marginal. You’d be fighting a losing battle.

It’s not until Friday the 31st of July that things start turning. That morning is light cross-offshore with a 4 ft SW swell, the period jumps to 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The energy is building, hitting 1443, and the report calls it clean. That’s the first real glimmer. Average crowds are possible here, so you might have some company.

Then… hold onto your wetsuit. Saturday the 1st of August is a standout. Glassy conditions in the morning, 5 ft of SW swell, 16-second period, and the energy is cranking at 1904. This is the kind of morning where you paddle out and everything feels right. Clean, lined-up, and very long-period swell. For a reef break like this, it’s going to be workable but be aware that kind of period can make it a bit straight at a beach setup, but on a reef it should run well.

Sunday the 2nd is still decent, but the wind goes more cross-shore. A little chop creeps in, but at 6 ft and 16 seconds, it’s still a solid option.

Now, if you can hold out for Monday the 3rd of August – that’s the real gem. Glassy flat calm, 8 ft of long-period SSW groundswell (17 seconds), and energy numbers over 3000. This is a strong, powerful swell. That said, 8 ft is getting into expert territory – not one for the groms or the nervous. The wind is dead calm, so the surface will be like a mirror. This is the top of the heap. Crowds are possible, but for waves like that, you’ll happily share.

Tuesday the 4th keeps the glassy theme in the morning, but the swell drops back to 5 ft. Clean again, but less punch. Afternoon gets a cross-shore bump.

From Wednesday the 5th through to the end of the forecast, the size stays in the 6 ft to 7 ft range, but the winds start to get a bit more onshore or cross, and the comments shift back to marginal. The energy stays high (1500 to 3000+), but the quality drops off. There’s a big spike on the 7th and 8th of August – 12 ft of SSW swell with a 20-second period, and the energy goes through the roof (14356). That is massive. That’s for experts only, and even then, the wind is messy, so it might be a bit of a washing machine. It could be more of a kite day than a paddle day for most folks.

The best two calls:
- Saturday 1st August morning – glassy, 5 ft, clean and fun.
- Monday 3rd August morning – glassy, 8 ft, powerful and for the experienced crew.

After that, the window starts to close with bumpy conditions and size that’s either too big or poorly aligned. Grab it while it’s good.

Rusty.

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