Karekare Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.00° S 174.48° E

Karekare Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Karekare sea temperature is
14.7°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 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 13,540 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period with SW 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 4.0m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Karekare in the next 16 days are 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 3s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 13th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 17s
Best Surf 6PM (Sun 13th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sat 12th Sep)16ft (5.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Karekare over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you—this forecast is a bit of a mixed bag, with a rough start and some real promise later on, but you’ll have to be patient.

Right now, it’s not looking good at all. The first several days are a write-off. From Saturday the 12th right through to Tuesday the 15th, we’ve got a big, messy SW swell hammering the coast. Swell heights are sitting between 8ft and 15ft, but with strong cross-onshore winds and combined wave energy readings in the thousands (2670 to 10400), it’s just poor, lumpy conditions. Not worth paddling out unless you’re looking for a beatdown.

We finally get a little window on Wednesday the 16th. The swell drops to a more manageable 4ft to 5ft, but it’s still pretty weak and short-period (13 seconds). Combined energy is down to 646-851, and winds are light but cross-onshore. It’s marginal at best, a bit messy. You might get a few closeouts if you’re desperate.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 17th is the standout. The swell direction holds from the WSW, with a solid 7ft to 8ft and a period of 12-15 seconds (nice groundswell energy). The combined energy jumps to 1308-3005, which is moderate but well-directed. The kicker? Thursday afternoon the wind goes glassy, with a light northerly breeze—dead calm. That’ll be clean, lined-up waves. It’s a bit on the bigger side for beginners, but for intermediate and above, this is the session to aim for. Keep in mind Karekare is an exposed beach, so that long-period swell might make it a bit walled-up, but the glassy wind will make it worthwhile. Crowds can be an issue here, so get in early.

Friday the 18th is still decent, with 7ft to 8ft swell and cleaner cross-off winds in the morning. It’s not as perfect as Thursday, but a solid backup.

Then we hit another rough patch from Saturday the 19th through to Wednesday the 23rd. The swell gets big again, 10ft to 15ft, and winds turn onshore or strong cross-shore. Combined energy readings are huge (up to 10668). The forecast notes say the swell is too big for this break during that period—these are expert-only conditions, and honestly, it looks more like a kite-surfing day than a paddle session. Thursday the 24th is similar, with 10ft to 12ft but cleaner offshore winds, though still too big for most.

Finally, the tail end of the outlook on Friday the 25th brings another good window. An 8ft WSW swell with a 15-second period, light ENE winds, and a combined energy of 2655. Conditions look excellent for experienced surfers. It’s a bit less certain this far out (over a week away), but it’s a promising end to the forecast. Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th fade back into marginal, onshore slop.

So, the short version: endure the first few days of crap, then circle Thursday the 17th as your best bet. Friday the 25th is the long-range hopeful.

Stay safe, and don’t be a hero in that big, messy stuff.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the SW by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
1
1
1
1
0
1
3
3
4
4
3
5
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
5
SW
16
3.5
WSW
16
4.5
SW
16
4.5
SW
16
4
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
3.5
SW
16
3
SW
15
3
SW
14
2.5
SW
14
2.4
SW
14
2
SW
14
1.4
SW
13
1.2
SW
13
1.4
SW
13
2.2
WSW
12
2.3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
2.1
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
13540
5730
10265
10400
9507
6947
5457
4530
3192
2554
2265
1559
721
494
668
1376
1893
2412
1475
3549
3241
Wind (km/h)
40
SW
35
SW
30
SW
30
SW
25
SW
25
SW
25
SSW
20
SSW
15
SW
20
SW
15
SW
15
WSW
15
W
20
WNW
15
NW
15
N
10
N
15
NE
25
ESE
25
NE
15
E
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
High Tide
10:42AM3.22m
11:00PM3.31m
11:21AM3.22m
11:36PM3.25m
11:56AM3.14m
00:10AM3.12m
12:30PM3.02m
00:41AM2.96m
1:03PM2.86m
1:13AM2.75m
1:37PM2.68m
1:46AM2.53m
2:17PM2.49m
2:31AM2.32m
Low Tide
4:55PM0.14m
5:17AM0.08m
5:32PM0.21m
5:54AM0.17m
6:09PM0.33m
6:28AM0.31m
6:43PM0.50m
7:02AM0.49m
7:17PM0.68m
7:35AM0.67m
7:53PM0.87m
8:10AM0.86m
8:36PM1.05m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:08
6:09
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:14
 mm
1
20
11
2
1
Temp °C
13
13
12
14
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
14
14
17
18
14
16
16
13
Feels °C
5
5
6
8
8
8
9
8
10
10
9
10
9
10
9
13
15
11
13
12
9
  • 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 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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