Surf Forecasts:
Karekare surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, SW swell with 8,085 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Karekare in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Karekare over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for Karekare.
Right now, the water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is about average for this time of year. The pattern ahead is a bit of a mixed bag, but we've got a few windows of opportunity if you're patient. It’s a slow start, but don’t write it off just yet.
The first real chance for a paddle comes on Thursday, the 27th of August. Thursday morning is looking at 7ft of WSW swell with a solid 13-second period, so there's some proper groundswell energy. But it's a cross-on breeze, so it'll be a bit bumpy. The standout, though, is Thursday afternoon. The wind drops right out and goes glassy, with 7ft of that same WSW groundswell. That's going to be clean, lined-up waves—perfect for the experienced surfer. It won't be huge, but it'll be quality.
Friday, the 28th, the swell drops back to 3ft but the wind is clean and cross-offshore both morning and afternoon, making for some fun, small waves. Saturday morning carries on that theme with 4ft swell and clean cross-off winds, though the energy is a bit lighter. Saturday afternoon sees the swell bump back up to 7ft, but the wind swings onshore and brings in some rain, so that window closes.
From Sunday the 30th onwards, things get a bit wild. We've got a solid run of big, powerful swells, but the wind goes howling onshore and it's just messy—fresh breezes and lumpy conditions. There's a window on Thursday the 3rd of September where the wind is favorable, but the swell is just too big for this break, topping 13ft with very strong energy. The same goes for Sunday the 6th of September, with 12ft of a very long-period 17-second groundswell and gentler wind, but again, it's predicted to be too big for Karekare. And then we get into some proper heavy stuff, with a 21ft swell on the 8th of September, but it's blowing a gale. That's strictly for the big-wave chargers, and even then, you'd want a sled.
For the beginner, anything over 5ft is a stretch, and we're well past that for most of the period. The best bet for a good, clean session is definitely Thursday afternoon, the 27th. It's the only time the glassy conditions line up with a decent, manageable swell. The crowds can come at Karekare sometimes, so if you can get out that afternoon, you'll likely have it to yourself.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the W by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WNW 9 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | SW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | SW 13 | SW 14 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2689 | 2002 | 1497 | 1289 | 1085 | 425 | 419 | 429 | 451 | 1144 | 1122 | 1710 | 1781 | 3338 | 6764 | 8085 | 7440 | 6396 | 5068 | 3959 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 9:02PM2.83m | 9:22AM2.76m | 9:41PM2.98m | 10:02AM2.90m | 10:20PM3.08m | 10:41AM2.99m | 10:58PM3.14m | 11:20AM3.03m | 11:36PM3.14m | 11:58AM3.02m | 00:13AM3.08m | 12:37PM2.97m | 00:52AM2.98m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:26AM0.58m | 3:39PM0.51m | 4:03AM0.41m | 4:16PM0.37m | 4:39AM0.29m | 4:54PM0.29m | 5:16AM0.22m | 5:32PM0.27m | 5:54AM0.21m | 6:10PM0.30m | 6:32AM0.25m | 6:51PM0.39m | ||||||||
 |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | |  |  |  | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 23 | 11 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 20 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 21 |
| kJ | 2689 | 2002 | 1497 | 1289 | 1085 | 332 | 302 | 429 | 451 | 1144 | 336 | 609 | 637 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 72 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 11 | NW 7 | — | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 111 | 103 | 425 | 419 | 362 | 233 | 34 | — | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 | WSW 22 | WNW 8 | WSW 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 50 | 112 | 170 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | — | — | NE 2 | SW 5 | WSW 11 | SW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | SW 13 | SW 14 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 62 | — | — | 1 | 53 | 1122 | 1710 | 1781 | 3338 | 6764 | 8085 | 7440 | 6396 | 5068 | 3959 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 335 | 317 | 101 | 0 | 0 | 317 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 49 | 80 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 77 | 49 | 90 | 90 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Auckland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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