
Surf Forecasts:
Karekare surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SW swell with 5,627 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 17s period. 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 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 18s |
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 over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water’s sitting at 58°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing out of the ordinary there.
The next two weeks start with a bit of a flat-ish patch, but the standouts are definitely gonna be later in the run. From Tuesday morning through to Thursday morning, the swell’s coming in around 6ft to 10ft from the WNW to WSW, but the wind is cross or cross-on, chopping things up, and the periods are short or just okay. It’s not really worth paddling out for – the first few days are mostly marginal, with a bit of a question mark over the tide.
Now, Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning (15th and 16th July) see the swell jump to 10ft from the WSW with a period of 16 seconds. That’s a solid groundswell, but look, that’s too much for Karekare – it’s a big, heavy beach break at that size, and the wind is onshore or cross-on. That’s expert territory, and even then, it’s gonna be a messy, blown-out affair. The combined energy is strong to very strong (5131 and 3803), but the quality’s just not there for a good paddle.
The real standout, the one you want to circle in your calendar, is Sunday 19th July. The morning session is a bit too big at 10ft – but by Sunday afternoon the swell drops to 8ft from the SW, period 16 seconds, and the wind goes offshore from the east at 9 mph. That’s clean, glassy conditions, and the combined energy is still solid (3808). For experienced surfers, this is the pick of the bunch. The break is fairly consistent, and crowds are only sometimes an issue, so you’ve got a decent chance of a quiet bank.
After that, Monday to Tuesday (20th–21st July) sees the swell drop to 5ft–7ft, still from the WSW, with offshore winds, but the wind picks up to 18 mph, which makes paddling out a bit of a chore. The wave energy falls to moderate (1667–879). It’s rideable, but not the best.
Then from Wednesday 22nd July onward, the swell drops right off – under 4ft, with periods around 12–14 seconds, but the wind is howling offshore at 18–25 mph. That’s strong offshore, which cleans the waves up, but it’s a real battle to get out there. The combined energy is weak (around 247–488). This stretch is only worth it for the hardcore.
But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Sunday 26th July – that’s a week away – looks promising again. Swell pulses back to 6ft from the SW, period 14 seconds, with a moderate offshore wind from the east at 12–15 mph. That’s clean, punchy surf, and the energy is moderate (1340–1572). Not a huge day, but for a Sunday morning paddle, it’s gonna be fun.
The very last days, 29th July, have a small 5ft–5ft SW swell with light offshore winds, energy around 848–939. It’s a gentle, clean little wave – good for a longboard or a relaxed session.
So, if you’re after the best, it’s Sunday afternoon 19th July for the bigger, cleaner groundswell. For a more manageable, clean day, Sunday 26th July is your backup.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 13 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
373 | 241 | 865 | 1944 | 5131 | 4729 | 3803 | 3560 | 2697 | 2662 | 3281 | 3912 | 3383 | 3148 | 3056 | 5562 | 3808 | 3118 | 2111 | 1667 | 1368 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 9:40AM3.11m | 10:09PM3.28m | 10:33AM3.19m | 10:59PM3.34m | 11:23AM3.24m | 11:47PM3.36m | 12:10PM3.24m | 00:32AM3.32m | 12:55PM3.20m | 1:15AM3.23m | 1:38PM3.10m | 1:57AM3.10m | 2:21PM2.97m | 2:40AM2.92m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:02PM0.37m | 4:32AM0.29m | 4:53PM0.30m | 5:21AM0.22m | 5:40PM0.27m | 6:06AM0.21m | 6:25PM0.29m | 6:50AM0.25m | 7:08PM0.37m | 7:34AM0.35m | 7:51PM0.50m | 8:17AM0.49m | 8:36PM0.65m | ||||||||
7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 13 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
373 | 232 | 865 | 1944 | 5131 | 4729 | 3803 | 3560 | 2697 | 1409 | 3281 | 3912 | 3383 | 3148 | 3056 | 5562 | 3808 | 3118 | 2111 | 1667 | 1368 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 18 | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 23 | SW 19 | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | SW 21 |
225 | 241 | 408 | 957 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 85 | 1351 | 232 | — | — | — | — | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 22 | WSW 20 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
48 | 160 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2662 | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 77 | 35 | 101 | 234 | 127 | 172 | 122 | 49 | 49 | 77 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 77 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 19 | 0 |
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.










