Karekare Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.00° S 174.48° E

Karekare Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Karekare sea temperature is
14.0° C
0.7° 

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


Karekare surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, WNW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with 14,445 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period with WNW 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 20s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Karekare in the next 16 days are 6.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM. 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 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Fri 24th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Best Surf 6PM (Fri 24th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sat 25th Jul)21ft (6.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s break down what’s coming for Karekare. This is a west coast spot that’s open to the swell, and the next couple of weeks are a wild ride. There’s a huge pulse of energy early on, but it’s going to be a blown-out mess for a few days before we get some clean windows. The real standout is a couple of mornings in the second week where the stars align for some serious groundswell with glassy conditions. The water temp is 57.2°, which is right on average for this time of year, so nothing unusual.

We kick off on Thursday the 23rd of July. The afternoon has some clouds, a light 3 mph offshore wind from the west, and a 6.2ft SW swell rolling in with a 13-second period. The combined energy is 1308 (moderate to strong). The wave comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” so it’s a decent start but not the highlight.

Then it goes to hell. Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are a total write-off. Friday morning has a 4.3ft WSW swell with a 12-second period, but a 12 mph cross-shore from the north makes it choppy, and by the afternoon the wind picks up to 19 mph cross-on with light rain. Saturday is a monster but a total mess: 18ft to 21ft WSW swells, with 28 mph cross-on winds and rain. The combined energy hits 5951 and then a massive 13016 (very strong to extreme). That’s not for paddling, mate. That’s kite-surfing territory or a full-on storm watch. Stay out of the water.

Sunday the 26th of July is a different story. The swell is still huge at 13ft from the WSW, but the wind swings to an offshore ENE at 12 mph in the morning, and the wave comment says “wind and tide favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break.” The afternoon has a 19 mph cross-off from the ESE. For experienced surfers only—this is big, powerful groundswell (15 seconds in the morning, 14 in the afternoon), and the combined energy is still massive at 6621 and 5761. Unless you’re a gun, give it a miss. It’s too big for beginners and most intermediates.

Monday the 27th of July, the swell drops to 10ft on the morning from the WSW with a 13-second period, and the wind is a light cross-shore from the SSW at 6 mph. The wave comment says “wind and tide favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break.” So again, it’s big and powerful (2817 combined energy). The afternoon is messy with a cross-on wind. This is still a big swell period.

Things settle down from Tuesday the 28th through to Wednesday the 29th. Tuesday morning has a 6.6ft WSW swell, 12-second period, light cross-shore winds, combined energy 1132 (moderate). The wave comment is “marginal,” so it’s okay but not stellar. Wednesday the 29th of July, the morning is the pick of this stretch: 4.9ft WSW swell, 11-second period, a light 3 mph cross-off from the NE, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” The combined energy is only 553 (moderate), but the clean conditions make it a fun, manageable size. The afternoon turns a bit messy with a cross-on wind.

Now into the second week, and we’ve got a proper standout. Thursday the 30th of July morning has a 7.5ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period, combined energy of 3911 (very strong). The wind is a moderate cross-shore from the NNW at 12 mph, which isn’t perfect, but that long-period groundswell is going to be powerful. The afternoon is a write-off with strong cross-on winds. Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August are all blown out with cross-on winds and messy conditions, swells hanging around 7.2ft to 9.8ft. Not worth it.

The real gem is Tuesday the 4th of August. The morning is glassy—a 3 mph wind from the west, dead calm, with a 6.2ft WSW swell, 16-second period, combined energy 1857 (strong). The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s the best on offer: glassy, clean, long-period groundswell at a solid size. The afternoon stays clean with a 9 mph cross-off from the SSE and 5.9ft swell. This is your day.

Wednesday the 5th of August has a 8.2ft WSW swell, 18-second period,

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat morning, calm by Sun morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sun afternoon). Mainly fresh winds.

Thu
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
1
0
0
0
0
!
!
!
!
!
1
1
3
1
3
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
SW
13
1.7
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
12
2.5
WNW
9
5.5
WSW
10
6.5
WSW
13
5
WSW
15
4
WSW
15
4
WSW
14
3
WSW
14
3
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
12
2
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
11
1.5
WSW
11
1.5
WSW
11
1.9
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1308
983
488
443
1072
5951
13016
11444
6621
5761
4062
2817
2052
1520
1119
835
581
489
508
1198
Wind (km/h)
5
W
15
NW
20
N
30
NNW
35
WNW
45
WSW
45
WSW
25
WSW
20
ENE
30
ESE
0
ENE
10
SSW
15
SW
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
SW
5
SE
5
NE
10
WNW
15
NNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
4:55PM2.53m
5:21AM2.43m
6:00PM2.49m
6:28AM2.39m
7:06PM2.53m
7:31AM2.44m
8:02PM2.62m
8:23AM2.54m
8:48PM2.74m
9:07AM2.66m
9:29PM2.86m
9:47AM2.78m
10:07PM2.96m
Low Tide
11:19PM1.07m
11:46AM1.04m
00:25AM1.10m
12:48PM1.05m
1:30AM1.06m
1:49PM1.00m
2:27AM0.96m
2:41PM0.89m
3:12AM0.83m
3:25PM0.77m
3:51AM0.70m
4:04PM0.64m
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:32
 mm
1
5
10
2
2
4
8
1
2
Temp °C
13
13
14
13
13
11
11
12
11
9
11
12
13
13
13
13
11
12
13
13
Feels °C
12
11
9
7
9
1
1
4
10
2
7
8
8
8
9
10
8
10
11
10
  • 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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