Surf Forecasts:
Karekare surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 7,047 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Karekare in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Karekare over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, switching to feet and miles for the numbers.
The week kicks off on Wednesday the 12th with a weak 3ft swell from the WSW and a 30 km/h ENE cross-off wind. The combined energy is just 478, so it’s pretty weak. Water temp is 14°, which is about average for this time of year. Not a session to remember.
Thursday morning the 13th is a step up. Swell is still 3ft from the WSW, but the period stretches to 14 seconds, giving it some proper groundswell punch. The wind drops to a light 10 km/h cross-off from the NE, and energy climbs to 814. Clean and surfable. Thursday afternoon gets messy with a cross-on wind.
Now, Friday morning the 14th is the real starter. We’ve got a 6ft WSW swell with a long 16-second period, light offshore wind from the ENE at 10 km/h, and the combined energy is pumping at 2000. That’s a session with power and shape, and the offshore breeze will have those waves standing up clean. It’s over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is a winner.
The weekend gets bigger, but the wind turns ugly. Saturday morning the 15th sees a 7ft swell from the SW with a 17-second period and energy at 2885, but the cross-shore S wind at 20 km/h puts a chop on it. Saturday afternoon hits 8ft and cross-on – blown out. Sunday the 16th is the same story: 8ft to 13ft swell, but the wind is a mess. The 13ft on Sunday afternoon is just too big for this break.
Monday the 17th is also too big, with 10ft swell and strong cross winds. The real gold is in the second week. Thursday morning the 20th – circle that date. We’ve got a 7ft WSW swell, 14-second period, and the wind is glassy, dead calm from the SSE at just 5 km/h. The energy is 2229, and conditions are excellent. That’s the standout. That’s the one. The swell is over 6ft, so it’s for bigger-wave surfers, but the glassy conditions will make it unforgettable.
Friday morning the 21st is also a good call – 5ft swell, 13-second period, and zero wind. Glassy. Energy is 892. That’s a fun, mellow morning for a wider range.
The rest of the period fades. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd see the swell drop below 5ft, with clean conditions but smaller waves. Tuesday the 25th brings a 10ft WNW swell, but the wind is a strong 30 km/h cross-off, and it’s too big and messy for paddle surfing – that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing.
Bottom line: Thursday the 20th at dawn is your best shot. Solid swell, glassy wind, and the wave energy is pumping. Friday the 21st morning is the backup – smaller but just as clean.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | W 12 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 422 | 387 | 293 | 726 | 1018 | 1849 | 1948 | 1258 | 2674 | 3881 | 3464 | 3504 | 7047 | 5659 | 3419 | 2842 | 2541 | 1710 | 1465 | 1945 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:54PM3.26m | 10:19AM3.17m | 10:41PM3.34m | 11:04AM3.24m | 11:24PM3.36m | 11:47AM3.25m | 00:05AM3.32m | 12:27PM3.20m | 00:42AM3.21m | 1:05PM3.08m | 1:18AM3.04m | 1:42PM2.93m | 1:54AM2.84m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:48PM0.30m | 4:17AM0.18m | 4:35PM0.20m | 5:02AM0.09m | 5:19PM0.17m | 5:43AM0.08m | 6:00PM0.21m | 6:23AM0.15m | 6:39PM0.32m | 7:01AM0.27m | 7:17PM0.47m | 7:39AM0.44m | 7:56PM0.65m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — |
mm | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 12 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 422 | 198 | 255 | 726 | 1018 | 1849 | 1948 | 1258 | 2674 | 3881 | 3464 | 3504 | 7047 | 5659 | 3419 | 2842 | 2541 | 1710 | 1465 | 1945 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 17 | W 11 | WSW 20 | — | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 54 | 387 | 293 | 629 | 451 | 151 | — | 82 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 20 | SW 18 | WSW 15 | — | — | — | WSW 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 102 | 266 | 42 | — | — | — | 149 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 8 | SW 9 | — | — | S 7 | S 6 | — | — | S 4 | S 5 |
| kJ | 21 | 9 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 182 | 321 | 952 | 1201 | — | — | 493 | 190 | — | — | 40 | 65 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 101 | 6 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 48 | 77 | 86 | 77 | 6 | 6 | 86 | 123 | 90 | 48 | 107 | 48 |
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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