Surf Forecasts:
Karekare surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with 8,092 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 15s 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 4.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Karekare over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Karekare over the next couple of weeks.
Right now, it’s a bit of a slow burn. Friday the 21st starts with a 6ft swell from the WSW but it’s onshore and messy – energy is weak (961). The afternoon’s a little punchier (1164) but still choppy. Saturday the 22nd drops off and stays poor. Sunday the 23rd blows out with a big 10ft to 12ft swell, short period, and fresh cross-onshore winds – lumpy and ugly. The energy is high (1376 to 3316) but not for a paddle.
Monday the 24th brings a massive 13ft to 15ft swell from the WSW, 15-second period, with energy through the roof (7284 to 7774). The word is it’s too big for this break – experts only, if anyone. Tuesday the 25th stays oversized at 10ft to 12ft – same story.
Wednesday the 26th drops to 8ft but still cross-onshore and not clean. Then Thursday the 27th is the first real highlight: a 7ft WSW swell with light cross-off wind from the NE at 6 to 9 mph, and it’s clean. Energy is moderate (1293 to 1366) and it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That’s your one good day in the first week.
Friday the 28th gets messy again, and Saturday the 29th has a 10ft swell with glassy conditions in the morning (2924 energy), but it’s too big for the break.
Now, the second week is where it gets good. Sunday the 30th of August and Monday the 31st are the standouts. Sunday morning: 5ft swell from the WSW, very long 18-second period, and light cross-off wind from the SSE at just 3 mph – glassy, clean, excellent. Energy is moderate (2274). Monday morning: 5ft, 15-second WSW swell, light offshore from the ENE at 6 mph, and clean (1616 energy). These two days are pure quality – not huge but nicely shaped, especially with that long period and offshore wind. It’ll be a bit walled up on a beach break but still fun.
Tuesday the 1st of September picks up more wind (15-19 mph from the ENE) but stays cross-off and clean, though the swell drops to 5ft to 5ft with lower energy (765 to 926). Wednesday the 2nd fades, and from Thursday the 3rd it’s small, choppy, and poor.
Water temp is about average for the season. Overall, first week is a write-off except for Thursday the 27th. Then Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are the pick of the bunch. If you can, get out Sunday morning – glassy, long-period groundswell, clean lines. After that, it’s quiet for a while.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Thu night, strong winds from the NW by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun night, light winds from the SW by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | WSW 13 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 8 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1253 | 961 | 893 | 934 | 799 | 318 | 195 | 1029 | 2631 | 1194 | 7284 | 7774 | 5745 | 4585 | 3870 | 2446 | 2061 | 1922 | 1886 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:21AM2.39m | 4:04PM2.40m | 4:27AM2.23m | 5:15PM2.33m | 5:44AM2.19m | 6:29PM2.37m | 6:57AM2.26m | 7:32PM2.50m | 7:55AM2.41m | 8:20PM2.66m | 8:41AM2.59m | 9:02PM2.83m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:26PM1.04m | 9:49AM1.00m | 10:28PM1.17m | 10:51AM1.12m | 11:43PM1.21m | 12:05PM1.13m | 1:03AM1.14m | 1:19PM1.04m | 2:05AM0.97m | 2:16PM0.87m | 2:49AM0.77m | 2:59PM0.68m | |||||||
 |  | | | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 7 | WSW 19 | WSW 17 | WSW 12 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 |
| kJ | 1253 | 961 | 893 | 934 | 799 | 318 | 137 | 146 | 321 | 1080 | 7284 | 7774 | 5745 | 4585 | 3870 | 2446 | 2061 | 1922 | 1886 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 16 | — | — | SSW 6 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 271 | — | — | 26 | 195 | 104 | 364 | 395 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 | WSW 19 | SW 20 | — | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 142 | 97 | — | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | NW 4 | W 8 | W 10 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 18 | 24 | 28 | 1029 | 2631 | 1194 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 122 | 90 | 132 | 123 | 132 | 317 | 319 | 335 | 332 | 124 | 236 | 236 | 222 | 236 | 236 | 236 | 236 | 236 | 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.
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