Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next week or so is a bit of a mixed bag for Whangara. We’ve got a long stretch of flat, poor conditions to start, but there’s a couple of windows that’ll get the blood pumping, especially if you’re willing to wait it out.

The forecast kicks off on Monday, 24 August, but don’t bother paddling out. We’ve got tiny 1ft waves from the ESE with a 13-second period, and a cross-shore wind making a mess of it. The energy is weak (35), and it’s just not worth the effort. Tuesday through to Thursday morning are all the same story – tiny waves, mostly under 1ft, and the wind is all over the place. The combined energy stays well under 100, so it’s a real dud. You’re better off waxing your board at home.

Things start to look up on Friday, 28 August. The morning hits with a solid 5ft southerly swell, 13-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze from the north. The energy jumps right up to 928 (moderate), and it’s clean. That’s a really nice session for the experienced crew – the swell is over 5ft, so it’s a bit too much for beginners. The water temperature is 56°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so a good wetsuit is a must. Friday afternoon stays clean with a 4ft south swell and offshore winds, energy dropping to 571, but still a solid wave.

Saturday, 29 August, is a bit of a split. The morning has a smaller 3ft south swell, but the wind is cross-off from the NNE, so it’s clean. The energy is 331, so it’s surfable, but nothing special. The afternoon sees a 5ft swell from the NNE, but it’s short-period at 7 seconds, and the energy is higher at 420. It’s a bit messy, but there’s some fun to be had for the keen.

Sunday, 30 August, is a step down. The morning has 3ft NNE swell, clean and glassy, but the energy is weak at 169. It’s surfable but ordinary. The afternoon turns ugly with a risk of thunderstorms and an onshore wind.

Monday, 31 August, starts with a glassy 3ft NE swell, 8-second period, but the energy is only 88. It’s clean, but you’ll be working for every wave. The best window in the whole outlook is Tuesday, 1 September. The afternoon brings a solid 10ft south swell, 13-second period, with a clean offshore wind. The energy is massive at 3155 (strong). This is for experts only – the swell is way over 8ft, and the long period will make it fat and powerful. It’s a standout, but it’s for the brave.

Wednesday, 2 September, is still good but smaller. The morning has 5ft south swell, 12-second period, with offshore winds, and energy at 687. It’s excellent for experienced surfers, but the size is right on the edge for beginners. The afternoon drops to 4ft, still clean.

After that, it fades out. Thursday to Saturday is mostly small, ordinary, or flat. By Saturday, 5 September, we’ve got a 20ft south swell predicted in the afternoon, but the wind is cross-shore, and the energy is a colossal 10498 – that’s way too big for Whangara. It’s a warning, not a recommendation. Sunday, 6 September, is also too big at 12ft, and the wind is cross-off, but still only for the crazy.

The final glimmer is Monday, 7 September morning, with a clean 4ft south swell, 12-second period, and energy at 687. That’s a very good session for the experienced crowd. After that, it’s back to tiny, weak waves.

So, the standout is Tuesday, 1 September afternoon – that 10ft south swell with offshore winds is the one to circle. Keep an eye on Friday, 28 August morning, and Monday, 7 September morning, as solid second options. Everything else is a wait-and-see.

Rusty.

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