
Surf Forecasts:
Cray Bay surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 12,584 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cray Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Cray Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cray Bay in the next 16 days are 5.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cray Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Fri night, min 5°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1427 | 1028 | 890 | 811 | 521 | 455 | 314 | 202 | 158 | 82 | 961 | 1447 | 2354 | 2493 | 1400 | 899 | 582 | 577 | 875 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:00AM1.29m | 5:27PM1.40m | 5:46AM1.29m | 6:12PM1.42m | 6:31AM1.30m | 6:55PM1.43m | 7:15AM1.31m | 7:38PM1.43m | 7:59AM1.32m | 8:21PM1.43m | 8:43AM1.33m | 9:04PM1.43m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:59PM0.32m | 11:10AM0.28m | 11:46PM0.30m | 11:56AM0.26m | 00:32AM0.28m | 12:41PM0.25m | 1:17AM0.26m | 1:26PM0.24m | 2:01AM0.24m | 2:11PM0.23m | 2:44AM0.22m | 2:56PM0.23m | |||||||
— | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 0 | -1 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 8 |
1427 | 1028 | 890 | 811 | 521 | 455 | 314 | 202 | 158 | 82 | 155 | 141 | 160 | 1704 | 1400 | 899 | 582 | 485 | 432 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | NE 6 | NE 7 | SE 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 16 | NE 15 | NE 14 | NE 13 | S 20 | SSE 10 |
64 | 10 | 10 | 61 | 41 | 20 | 17 | 46 | 27 | 79 | 33 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 32 | 170 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 18 | SSW 16 | S 9 | NE 4 | S 17 | S 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | NNE 6 | NE 17 | E 12 | E 16 | NE 16 | S 19 | S 19 | S 23 | NE 13 | S 14 |
— | 6 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 5 | 10 | 36 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 153 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 3 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NW 4 | WNW 2 | W 3 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | — | — | — | S 11 | S 9 |
— | — | 4 | — | 6 | 14 | 39 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 961 | 1447 | 2354 | 2493 | — | — | — | 577 | 875 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 41 | 163 | 27 | 41 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hawkes Bay | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
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Information about the Cray Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cray Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cray Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cray Bay surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Cray Bay) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Cray Bay may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Cray Bay is 26 km (16 miles) from the city of Hastings. If you plan a holiday in Hawkes Bay, look for hotels and other accommodation in Hastings. Hastings has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










