Kai-Iwi Surf Forecast and Surf Reports

(Wanganui and the Manawatu, New Zealand)

Forecast
- Hourly Forecast
- 16 Day Forecast
Maps
Live
Weather State
Spot Information

Kai-Iwi Surf Guide

Kai-Iwi in Wanganui-Manawatu is a fairly exposed beach break that has inconsistent surf with no particular seasonal pattern. Works best in offshore winds from the north northeast. Windswells and groundswells in equal measure and the best swell direction is from the west. The beach breaks offer lefts and rights. Best around high tide. Rarely crowded here.

Kai-Iwi Spot Info

Type:	Rating:	Reliability:	Todays Sea Temp*:
Beach	4	inconsistent	16.1°C*ocean temperature recorded from satellite

Surfing Kai-Iwi:

The best conditions reported for surf at Kai-Iwi occur when a West swell combines with an offshore wind direction from the North-northeast.

Hourly Forecast

16 Day Forecast

What's the best time of year to surf Kai-Iwi (for consistent clean waves)?

augustBest Season: winter

The best time of year for surfing Kai-Iwi with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Winter and most often the month of August. Clean surfable waves are typically found 12% of the time in August while 40% of the time it tends to be blown out. For the remaining 48% of the time it is considered too small by most surfers but may still be OK for beginners and groms at times.

clean

12%

Surfable waves that hold up well for longer rides in prevailing cross-offshore, offshore or light wind conditions.

blown out

40%

Surfable sized waves that are of poorer quality due to prevailing onshore, cross-onshore or windy conditions (may be preferable for kitesurfing).

too small

48%

Waves usually considered too small for good surf. Some wave-magnet breaks may still work though if conditions are right (on occasion).

Explore Kai-Iwi Location Map

Interactive Kai-Iwi surf break location map. View information about nearby surf breaks, their wave consistency and rating compared to other spots in the region. Current swell conditions from local buoys are shown along with live wind speed and direction from nearby weather stations. Click icons on the map for more detail. The closest passenger airport to Kai-Iwi is Wanganui Airport (WAG) in New Zealand, 11 km (7 miles) away (directly). The second nearest airport to Kai-Iwi is Palmerston North Airport (PMR), also in New Zealand, 76 km (47 miles) away.

Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)

Please note that some surf spot locations are approximate to protect their exact location while others are not shown at close zoom level.

Kai-Iwi Surf Forecasts:

Hourly Forecast

16 Day Forecast

Todays Surf Summary
Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 00:47 Local Time

m, °C	Tue	Wednesday 06
ft, °F	9PM	0AM	3AM	6AM
Wave (m)	WSW	WSW	WSW	WSW
Period (s)	14	14	13	13
Wind (km/h)
Wind State	off	off	off	off

Tides at Kai-Iwi

Current tide and informaton

For Whanganui River Entrance, New Zealand, 8 km from Kai-Iwi.

Next High Water: 12:55pm | 2.45m

Next Low Water: 06:53am | 1.04m

NEXT	IS AT (local time)	remaining
high tide
low tide

Kai-Iwi Sea Temperature

The water temperature (16.1 °C) at Kai-Iwi is quite cool. If the sun does come out as forecast, it should feel warm enough to surf in a good sealed spring wetsuit. Some surfers would prefer to wear gloves and boots too. Effective windchill factor of (14.0 °C) will make the air and water feel about the same temperature.

Today, many surfers would wear a spring wetsuit, neoprene gloves and boots.