Karekare Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.00° S 174.48° E

Karekare Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 08 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Karekare sea temperature is
15.1° C
0.1° 

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


Karekare surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 8,766 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period with SW 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 (Jul 09) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 17s. Another secondary swell of 2.5m and 8s is also forecast. 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 4.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 9th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Best Surf 6AM (Thu 9th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 9AM (Thu 9th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 15s

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


Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a massive stretch of proper West Coast action on the cards for Karekare. The next few days are going to be a wild ride with some very serious size, but if you’re an experienced local, the back half of this week is where the magic happens.

It kicks off today, Wednesday morning, with a 7ft SW swell pushing a lot of energy (1895). The wind is cross-shore and it’s a bit lumpy, but it’s a start. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for the time of year. This afternoon gets messy as the wind cranks up to 19 mph, making things pretty average.

Thursday is where things get serious. By the morning, we’re looking at a 15ft SW swell with a long period of 15 seconds, and the energy is massive (8843). That is serious, powerful groundswell. The wind is cross-shore and lumpy though, so it’ll be a challenge. This size is for experts only – don’t even think about it if you’re not comfortable in big, heavy water. The period is long which means these waves will have plenty of punch, but at a beach break like this, it could close out a bit. Thursday afternoon is a write-off with strong winds.

Friday sees the swell still pumping at 10ft-12ft from the SW, with very long-period energy (17-18 seconds) and high energy readings (over 12000). Again, this is strictly for the experts. The afternoon does ease up with lighter cross-shore winds, making it a little cleaner, but it’s still a heavy slab of water.

Now, listen up. Saturday is where the standout window begins. The swell drops to a more manageable 7ft, still from the SW, but the wind turns offshore from the ESE, delivering clean conditions. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The 15-second period means there’s still plenty of grunt, and that offshore wind will hold the face open for some proper barrels. Saturday afternoon and all of Sunday are also looking clean and fun, with light offshore or cross-off breezes and solid 6ft to 7ft groundswell. This is the pick of the entire forecast. If you can only surf one day, make it Saturday or Sunday.

Heading into the next week, Monday sees the swell dropping to a more user-friendly 4ft-5ft, still clean with light wind. It’s a good option if the weekend was too big for you, but the energy is much lower (543-795). Tuesday and Wednesday bring some smaller, less consistent swell with more onshore wind, so the quality drops right off.

The main standout is Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th of July. Solid SW groundswell (7ft-7ft at 15-16 seconds), clean conditions with offshore to cross-off winds, and plenty of energy. It’s going to be firing for those who know what they’re doing.

After that, there’s a long, drawn-out decline. From the 14th onward, we start seeing poor, small surf with onshore winds and barely any energy. The week of the 16th has a few moments of clean, offshore wind on a smaller swell (5ft-6ft), but it’s nothing like the weekend before. From the 20th to the 23rd, it’s basically dead – tiny waves and strong wind. Not worth paddling out.

Keep your eyes on Saturday and Sunday. That’s the one.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
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
1
1
!
0
0
!
!
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
0
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
SW
14
2.5
SW
13
2
WSW
13
4.5
SW
15
4.5
SSW
13
4.5
SSW
12
3.5
SW
18
3
SW
17
2.5
SW
16
2.1
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
2.2
SW
16
2.1
WSW
16
2
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
14
1.7
WNW
9
1
WSW
13
1.8
W
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1875
2426
1317
8766
6639
5756
7045
4935
3001
1976
1289
2475
2178
1762
1279
785
515
232
484
342
956
Wind (km/h)
15
S
30
S
30
S
35
S
40
S
35
S
25
S
15
S
10
ESE
15
ESE
10
SE
5
NE
5
ENE
5
E
10
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNE
20
NNW
10
WSW
15
W
15
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
on
High Tide
3:49PM2.69m
4:15AM2.72m
4:54PM2.70m
5:22AM2.72m
6:03PM2.77m
6:32AM2.78m
7:12PM2.89m
7:40AM2.88m
8:16PM3.04m
8:43AM2.99m
9:14PM3.17m
9:40AM3.11m
10:09PM3.28m
Low Tide
9:42AM0.73m
10:12PM0.81m
10:44AM0.74m
11:19PM0.81m
11:50AM0.71m
00:27AM0.75m
12:57PM0.65m
1:36AM0.65m
2:03PM0.57m
2:40AM0.53m
3:05PM0.47m
3:39AM0.40m
4:02PM0.37m
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:19
5:20
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
 mm
2
Temp °C
14
14
13
12
12
11
11
11
10
10
11
10
11
12
11
15
16
14
14
15
14
Feels °C
9
8
7
5
4
3
6
7
8
6
8
7
9
10
8
11
13
11
13
13
12
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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