Kai-Iwi surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Sunday 18 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Kai-Iwi surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Kai-Iwi sea temperature is
19.5° C
(Which is 1.6°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kai-Iwi this week:

The surf forecast for Kai-Iwi over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 23) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Kai-Iwi in the next 12 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jan 18) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Fri 23rd Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 18s
Best Surf 7AM (Sun 25th Jan)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 24th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kai-Iwi over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, strong winds from the S by Fri night).

Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.2
WSW
0.1
S
1.5
SSE
1.4
SSE
1.5
S
1.4
SE
1.4
SE
1.6
SSE
1.1
ESE
1
SE
1.2
S
0.3
S
0.2
WSW
0.2
WSW
0.3
SW
0.4
SW
0.4
SW
1.3
W
2.5
S
2.1
S
1.4
S
Period(s) (?)12145665555451322201817167888
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)14510513716599102144543761304539537766159844601245
Wind
(km/h)
30
SE
30
SE
25
SE
25
SE
25
ESE
25
ESE
30
ESE
25
SE
20
ESE
20
ESE
20
SSE
15
E
20
ESE
15
ESE
15
ESE
5
SW
15
SW
5
NE
35
SSE
20
SSE
15
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscrossglasscross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:07AM
2.65
11:28PM
2.58
11:43AM
2.73
12:04AM
2.64
12:19PM
2.79
12:40AM
2.68
12:55PM
2.82
1:16AM
2.69
1:31PM
2.82
1:54AM
2.67
2:08PM
2.78
2:33AM
2.63
2:48PM
2.71
3:16AM
2.57
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:19PM
0.95
5:36AM
0.86
5:55PM
0.88
6:12AM
0.80
6:32PM
0.83
6:48AM
0.77
7:10PM
0.80
7:25AM
0.77
7:50PM
0.79
8:03AM
0.80
8:30PM
0.81
8:45AM
0.86
9:12PM
0.86
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunrise6:11--6:11--6:13--6:15--6:16--6:16--6:18--
Sunset-8:47--8:47--8:46--8:46--8:45--8:45--8:45-
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
Rain (mm)
------------------111
Temp. °C171714202216202115232418232318202016141512
Feels °C (?)111181517111516101919142021171918157118
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Kai-Iwi Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Kai-Iwi provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Kai-Iwi can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kai-Iwi 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 (Kai-Iwi) 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 Kai-Iwi 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Wanganui and the Manawatu? If you are looking for accommodation near Kai-Iwi, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Wanganui and the Manawatu, consider staying in Wanganui which is 12 km (7 miles) away. Other places in and around Wanganui and the Manawatu where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Palmerston North which is 78 km (48 miles) away and Levin, 87 km (54 miles) away.

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