Karekare Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.00° S 174.48° E

Karekare Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 27 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Karekare sea temperature is
13.7°C
0.4° 

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


Karekare surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, SW swell with 8,334 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s 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 27) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 31) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Thu 27th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 2nd Sep)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 31st Aug)15ft (4.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Hey folks, Rusty here. Let's look at what's coming up for Karekare. Water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The next 16 days are a mixed bag, but we've got a solid window of clean conditions to start. Thursday 27 August is the standout. Thursday morning is a bit messy with a light cross-onshore from the NNW at 3 mph, but the swell is a solid 7 ft from the WSW with a 13-second period – that's a nice groundswell with moderate energy (1497). The real magic happens Thursday afternoon, though. The wind drops to glassy – dead calm – and the swell settles to 7 ft from the WSW at 13 seconds. That's excellent for experienced surfers, with clean, glassy conditions. The combined swell energy is moderate (1400). This is the best of the whole run.

Friday 28 August sees the swell drop to 4 ft, and the wind swings to a cross-offshore NNE at 12 mph, keeping things clean. The period is a nice 14 seconds, so the waves will have some shape. It's a marginal day, but still rideable.

Saturday 29 August is a write-off. Morning brings moderate rain and a cross-shore N wind at 9 mph, with weak 3 ft swell. The afternoon gets worse with 19 mph SSW winds and lumpy, poor conditions. Not worth paddling out.

Sunday 30 August through to Friday 5 September is a long stretch of big, messy, and dangerous surf. Strong winds from the SW and WSW, gusting 19–22 mph, and swell heights from 8 ft to 15 ft. The period is mixed, but the energy is massive – from 1488 all the way up to 12494. This is well over 8 ft, so it's expert-only territory, and with the wind onshore or cross-onshore, it's going to be a washing machine. The conditions are poor for surfing; this is more kite-surfing territory.

Saturday 6 September morning offers a bit of hope. Swell is 8 ft from the WSW with a very long 17-second period, but the cross-shore NW wind at 12 mph will create chop. The energy is huge (6595), but it's marginal. The afternoon is back to poor conditions.

From Tuesday 8 September onward, the swell stays big (12 ft to 16 ft), but the wind starts to improve. Tuesday 8 September afternoon has a smaller cross-onshore wind at 9 mph, but the swell is massive at 16 ft and 16 seconds – way too big for all but the most experienced. Wednesday 9 September looks promising: the wind turns cross-offshore from the ENE at 6 mph, making things clean, but the swell is still 13 ft (16 seconds) in the morning and 12 ft (16 seconds) in the afternoon. It's still too big for most, but the conditions will be clean. The energy is strong (8362).

Thursday 10 September sees the swell drop to 6 ft, with a clean cross-offshore breeze from the ENE at 9 mph. The period is a long 16 seconds, so the waves will be well-shaped. This is a marginal day but could be a good option for those who can handle the long-period swell, which might break a bit straight at the beach. The energy is moderate (1961).

Friday 11 September brings a big swell back (12 ft to 15 ft) with a cross-offshore NE wind, but the wind is strong (16–19 mph) and heavy rain is forecast. The energy is huge (10184–9647), and it's still too big for the average surfer.

So, to sum it up: Thursday 27 August afternoon is the clear winner. Glassy conditions, solid 7 ft groundswell, and clean faces. Don't waste it. The rest of the window is mostly too big, too windy, or just plain messy. Keep an eye on Thursday 10 September morning for a smaller, clean option.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon night, light winds from the W by Tue night).

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
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
4
4
2
2
3
3
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
WSW
13
2
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
12
1.1
SW
14
1
WSW
14
1
WSW
13
1
WSW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.4
SW
11
2.5
SW
8
3
SW
8
4
WSW
16
4.5
SW
13
4.5
SW
14
4.5
WSW
15
4
SW
15
4
SW
14
3.5
WSW
14
3
WSW
14
3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1497
1289
980
469
419
362
346
370
423
842
1145
7081
6952
8200
7838
7043
6131
4619
3380
2977
2904
Wind (km/h)
10
NNW
5
WSW
15
NNE
20
NNE
20
NNE
15
NNE
10
ENE
20
S
30
SSW
30
SW
35
WSW
35
WSW
30
WSW
35
WSW
40
W
30
WSW
20
SW
20
WSW
20
W
25
WNW
35
WNW
Wind State
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
9:22AM2.76m
9:41PM2.98m
10:02AM2.90m
10:20PM3.08m
10:41AM2.99m
10:58PM3.14m
11:20AM3.03m
11:36PM3.14m
11:58AM3.02m
00:13AM3.08m
12:37PM2.97m
00:52AM2.98m
1:17PM2.88m
1:32AM2.84m
Low Tide
3:39PM0.51m
4:03AM0.41m
4:16PM0.37m
4:39AM0.29m
4:54PM0.29m
5:16AM0.22m
5:32PM0.27m
5:54AM0.21m
6:10PM0.30m
6:32AM0.25m
6:51PM0.39m
7:12AM0.34m
7:34PM0.51m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:46
6:45
6:43
6:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:57
5:58
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
 mm
3
9
2
1
Temp °C
16
15
13
16
17
14
15
13
13
14
14
14
14
14
13
14
13
14
14
14
15
Feels °C
15
15
10
12
14
11
16
10
7
8
7
7
7
7
5
8
8
10
10
9
10
  • 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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