
Surf Forecasts:
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) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 14,888 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 6.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (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) | 20ft (6.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Karekare over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with the outlook for Karekare. This spot’s got a bit of a wild ride ahead over the next 16 days. We’re looking at a pretty rough start – Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are just messy with cross-shore winds and rain, no fun at all. The swell is building but the wind’s all wrong, so don’t bother paddling out those days. Sunday the 26th through Tuesday the 28th see a big pulse of swell – 10 ft to 13 ft plus – with long period (13 to 15 seconds). The wind cleans up Sunday morning with a light ENE breeze, and the afternoon turns offshore, but that wave height is way too big for most of us. Over 8 ft means expert-only territory, and even then it’s pushing limits. The combined energy is massive (6887 on Sunday morning, 12119 Saturday afternoon – that’s serious power).
Then we get a real gem. Wednesday the 29th morning – that’s the standout. The swell drops to a friendly 5 ft from the WSW, period 11 seconds, and the wind is a light NNE cross-offshore, almost glassy. The conditions are clean, the wave state is “clean” – that’s what we want. Sure, the energy is moderate (541), but it’s a perfect size for intermediates and the crowd is only sometimes there. This is the session to aim for.
After that, the swell kicks back up. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st see 7 ft to 12 ft swells, but the wind is cross or cross-onshore, making it choppy and marginal. Saturday the 1st of August has a beautiful offshore easterly and 10 ft of SW swell – clean again, but again too big for most. The energy is high (2205). The same pattern continues through the second week: big swells, mostly cross-onshore winds, and a lot of “too big for this break” warnings. The morning of the 8th of August looks promising with offshore wind and 10 ft, but again expert-only.
So, bottom line: if you’re an intermediate, your best bet is Wednesday the 29th morning. Experts can chase the bigger days, but be ready for size and power. The first week is a mixed bag, the second week is all about big, powerful swells with less-than-ideal conditions. Keep an eye on the forecast – things can shift.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat morning, light winds from the ENE by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | WSW 12 | WNW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
983 | 488 | 451 | 972 | 4584 | 12119 | 12167 | 6887 | 4061 | 3544 | 2611 | 2084 | 1459 | 725 | 633 | 617 | 499 | 489 | 1567 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | |
mm | — | — | 6 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 10 | — | — | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 |
983 | 488 | 451 | 389 | — | — | 12167 | 6887 | 4061 | 3544 | 2611 | 2084 | 1459 | 725 | 633 | 617 | 499 | 489 | 1567 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 22 | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 19 |
— | — | 9 | 126 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 11 | 26 | 42 | 176 | 184 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | SW 22 | — |
— | — | — | 124 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | 18 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 5 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — |
— | 47 | 403 | 972 | 4584 | 12119 | 10303 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 149 | 85 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 359 | 344 | 319 | 83 | 332 | 358 | 90 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 77 | 6 | 49 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 49 |
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.










