Karekare Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.00° S 174.48° E

Karekare Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 30 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Karekare sea temperature is
14.0° C
0.5° 

Karekare surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Karekare surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, WSW swell with 5,985 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period with WSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Karekare this week:

The surf forecast for Karekare over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Karekare in the next 16 days are 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sat 1st Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 1st Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 1st Aug)13ft (4.0m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Karekare over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let me tell you how things are shaping up for us here at Karekare.

We've got a pretty wild 16-day window ahead. Right now, it's a bit of a mess. Thursday afternoon is a write-off with a cross-onshore wind and choppy conditions on that 6ft WSW swell. The combined energy is already strong at 1287, but the wind is just ruining it. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year.

Friday is a total washout. That nor'wester is screaming onshore at 19 mph with rain, and the models are showing very poor surf conditions all day, so don't even bother paddling out.

But then, get this – Saturday the 1st of August is a true standout. We're looking at a massive 13ft swell from the WSW with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at a very strong 4937. The magic is the wind: a light offshore easterly in the morning at 6 mph, turning cross-offshore in the afternoon. That means clean, glassy faces. However, this is a serious warning: 13ft is well over the 8ft mark, so this is strictly for experts only. Beginners, stay well clear. This is the best on offer in the whole run, but only if you've got the skills.

Sunday drops off hard. The swell backs down to 7ft, but we get a cross-shore wind that introduces some chop. The energy drops to a moderate 1380. It’s marginal.

Next week starts rough. Monday and Tuesday have strong onshore winds again with that WSW swell, making for poor, choppy conditions. The 10ft swell on Tuesday morning is too big and messy.

Now, Wednesday the 5th of August is another highlight, but for a different reason. The swell drops to a clean 7ft from the SW with a 14-second period (moderate energy at 1850). The key here is a light offshore easterly wind at 6 mph. This will produce clean, excellent waves, but it's still solid at 7ft, so it’s better for the experienced surfers.

Thursday the 6th brings a different flavour with a 10ft WNW swell, but the period is a short 9 seconds. That’s a windswell, not groundswell, and it's too big and a bit sloppy for the setup here. The offshore wind is there, but the quality isn't. A beach break with that much short-period swell and wind might be more interesting for the kite surfers.

The week after that is where it gets interesting for the rest of us. From Saturday the 8th of August onward, we see a run of smaller, clean swells. The big 13ft days are gone. For example, Saturday morning has a small 4ft WSW swell with a light offshore breeze – clean, but small. The following days, from the 9th to the 14th, are consistent with 3ft to 6ft swells, mostly from the WSW, and the wind stays offshore or cross-offshore from the east. The water temperature will still be about average for this time of year.

The best of this smaller run is probably the 14th of August: a clean 6ft swell from the west with a 13-second period, light offshore easterly wind, and a combined energy of 1334. It's a good mix of size and condition for a proper session without the danger of the 13ft stuff.

Overall, don't waste your time until Saturday the 1st of August. That's the big, dangerous, epic day for experts. After that, wait for the smaller, cleaner surf from the second week onwards, with the 14th of August being a good target for a solid session.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Fri afternoon, calm by Fri night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
0
0
!
!
!
4
3
2
2
0
0
0
!
0
3
4
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
15
4
WSW
14
4
WSW
13
3.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
13
2.2
SW
12
1.9
SW
11
1.7
SW
12
1.3
WSW
19
1.7
WSW
19
2.2
SW
17
3
SW
16
2
WSW
16
2.5
SW
14
2.2
SW
14
1.8
SW
13
1.3
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1126
472
955
1274
5680
4937
4182
2385
1280
806
794
1229
1899
2715
4295
2007
2541
1850
1127
572
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
25
N
30
W
30
W
20
WSW
10
E
20
SE
10
E
15
S
15
SSW
10
SW
25
SW
25
WSW
25
WSW
20
WSW
25
WSW
15
S
10
E
20
NE
20
NE
Wind State
cross-on
cross
on
on
on
off
cross-off
off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
10:45PM3.03m
11:04AM2.94m
11:22PM3.06m
11:42AM2.97m
11:59PM3.06m
12:20PM2.96m
00:36AM3.02m
12:59PM2.91m
1:14AM2.95m
1:40PM2.84m
1:55AM2.85m
2:25PM2.77m
2:43AM2.74m
Low Tide
4:41PM0.54m
5:04AM0.48m
5:18PM0.47m
5:40AM0.41m
5:55PM0.44m
6:17AM0.39m
6:33PM0.45m
6:55AM0.40m
7:12PM0.50m
7:35AM0.45m
7:55PM0.59m
8:19AM0.53m
8:44PM0.69m
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
5:38
 mm
10
2
2
1
4
4
1
Temp °C
15
13
14
13
13
12
12
10
10
11
13
14
14
14
14
13
13
12
12
12
Feels °C
11
8
9
6
7
8
7
7
5
7
10
9
9
9
9
8
9
9
8
8
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 Karekare Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Karekare provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Karekare can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Karekare 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 (Karekare) 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 Karekare 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.

Karekare is 14 km (9 miles) from the city of Auckland. If you plan a holiday in Auckland, look for hotels and other accommodation in Auckland. Auckland has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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