Karekare Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.00° S 174.48° E

Karekare Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 27 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Karekare sea temperature is
14.1° 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 26 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 15,678 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Karekare in the next 16 days are 6.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 28th Jul)6.5ft (2.0m) 12s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 1st Aug)20ft (6.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 1st Aug)20ft (6.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the cards for Karekare over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, Monday the 27th is a write-off for paddling. The swell is a thumping 10ft from the WSW, with a 13-second period, and the combined wave energy is absolutely pumping at 2627 (moderate to strong). But that’s a beast for another day – it’s way too big and the wind is cross, making it a messy, blown-out nightmare. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year.

The real standout window kicks off on Tuesday the 28th. The morning is where it’s at. We’ve got a clean 7ft WSW swell, period of 12 seconds, and light cross-offshore winds from the SSE. The energy is solid at 1132 (moderate), and the conditions are clean. That’s your best bet for the first week – a proper groundswell with good shape, but it’s pushing 7ft, so it’s more for the experienced crew. The afternoon drops a touch to 6ft, but the wind goes cross, so not as good.

Wednesday the 29th is a nice little run of cleaner, smaller waves. Morning and afternoon both see 5ft to 4ft from the WSW, with light cross-offshore breezes and clean conditions. Energy is low (around 481 to 560), so it’s a bit weak, but perfect for a longer board or a SUP if you just want to get wet.

Thursday the 30th gets a bit messy. The swell bumps back up to 7ft in the morning, but the wind swings cross, and the energy is up to 1425 (moderate). The afternoon turns cross-onshore, so it’s choppy and not worth the paddle.

Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August are a total loss. Friday afternoon sees a raw 15ft W swell with a short 9-second period and howling 22 mph onshore winds – that’s a kite-surfing session, not a surf session. Saturday is even worse: a massive 20ft WSW swell (energy of 14882 – that’s very strong) with fresh onshore winds. Stay out of the water.

Sunday the 2nd of August has a 10ft WSW swell with 12-second period, but the wind is cross and the energy is high (2482). It’s a bit too big and messy, so not a standout.

The second week has a few glimmers, but the reliable stuff is further out. On Wednesday the 5th of August, the morning delivers a clean 5ft WSW swell with 15-second period and light cross-offshore winds. Energy is 1960 (moderate). That’s a long-period groundswell, so it’ll have some good push but long gaps between sets. It’s a promising window for experienced surfers.

Then, on Monday the 10th of August, the morning and afternoon both look solid: 6ft SW swell, 16-second period, with light cross-offshore winds. The energy is in the 2300 to 2700 range (moderate to strong). This is a long-range standout – clean, good size, and a long period groundswell that will work well at Karekare’s exposed beach. It’s a bit far out to lock in, but it’s got the makings of a proper session.

Tuesday the 11th of August also has a clean 6ft morning with 14-second period and light cross-offshore winds. Energy is 1390 (moderate). Another decent option.

Overall, the best of the bunch is Tuesday the 28th of July morning, and the long-range promise of Monday the 10th of August. Crowds are “sometimes” an issue at Karekare, so on the good days, expect a few others out there.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Thu night, fresh winds from the SSW by Sat night).

Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
3
2
4
2
2
2
3
4
3
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
!
!
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
13
2.3
WSW
12
2
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
12
1.4
WSW
11
1.4
WSW
11
1.3
WSW
11
1.9
WSW
14
2
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1
WSW
16
1.6
WSW
14
4.5
W
9
6
WSW
13
6
WSW
14
5.5
WSW
14
4
WSW
13
3
WSW
12
2.5
WSW
11
2.5
SW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2588
2121
1588
1119
807
458
450
389
1504
1390
1143
512
1014
2816
12778
14882
11656
4829
2381
1752
1275
Wind (km/h)
25
S
15
SSW
25
SSW
10
SSE
10
S
10
NE
10
ENE
10
NNE
15
NNE
15
N
15
NNW
25
N
20
WNW
35
W
25
WNW
30
SW
30
WSW
25
S
20
SSW
25
S
35
S
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
8:48PM2.74m
9:07AM2.66m
9:29PM2.86m
9:47AM2.78m
10:07PM2.96m
10:26AM2.88m
10:45PM3.03m
11:04AM2.94m
11:22PM3.06m
11:42AM2.97m
11:59PM3.06m
12:20PM2.96m
00:36AM3.02m
Low Tide
2:41PM0.89m
3:12AM0.83m
3:25PM0.77m
3:51AM0.70m
4:04PM0.64m
4:28AM0.58m
4:41PM0.54m
5:04AM0.48m
5:18PM0.47m
5:40AM0.41m
5:55PM0.44m
6:17AM0.39m
6:33PM0.45m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:37
 mm
9
1
2
8
3
1
1
2
1
Temp °C
11
12
12
10
10
10
12
14
12
14
15
12
14
13
12
12
12
9
11
10
8
Feels °C
5
8
7
7
7
7
9
11
9
10
11
7
9
6
7
5
5
1
4
3
-1
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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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