Surf Forecasts:
Cray Bay surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, S swell with 4,582 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period with SSW 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 (Aug 26) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. 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 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cray Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, near gales from the W by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | S 18 | SSW 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 7 | S 12 | S 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
222 | 263 | 287 | 1169 | 1485 | 808 | 448 | 347 | 224 | 205 | 157 | 116 | 55 | 33 | 180 | 1985 | 2139 | 2434 | 3344 | 2342 | 1265 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:07PM1.37m | 4:27AM1.27m | 4:53PM1.39m | 5:13AM1.30m | 5:38PM1.41m | 5:59AM1.32m | 6:23PM1.43m | 6:45AM1.35m | 7:08PM1.45m | 7:31AM1.39m | 7:53PM1.46m | 8:17AM1.43m | 8:39PM1.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:48AM0.30m | 10:24PM0.32m | 10:35AM0.28m | 11:11PM0.29m | 11:23AM0.25m | 11:58PM0.25m | 12:10PM0.22m | 00:43AM0.22m | 12:57PM0.20m | 1:28AM0.19m | 1:44PM0.18m | 2:13AM0.17m | 2:32PM0.17m | 2:58AM0.16m | |||||||
6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSW 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 14 | S 12 | S 13 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 |
222 | 263 | 287 | 1169 | 1485 | 808 | 448 | 347 | 224 | 205 | 157 | 116 | 55 | 33 | 69 | 1985 | 2139 | 965 | 3344 | 2342 | 1265 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 15 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 10 | NE 11 | NE 10 | S 16 |
43 | 33 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 21 | 62 | 43 | 30 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 651 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | NE 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | SE 15 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | NE 8 | SE 11 | — | — | — | — | NE 10 |
33 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 19 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | WSW 2 | — | — | ENE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | W 3 | SSW 7 | — | W 3 | SSW 13 | — | — | — |
7 | 7 | 1 | — | — | 27 | 89 | 84 | 147 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 180 | — | 2 | 2434 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 8 | 112 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 82 | 2 | 0 | 63 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hawkes Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











