
Surf Forecasts:
Karekare surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 18s period, SW swell with 7,356 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Karekare in the next 16 days are 3.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Karekare over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about Karekare. The water temperature’s 59°F, about average for the time of year. The next few days, though, it’s wild out there. We’ve got a lot of surf on offer, but the size is going to be the story for a while.
Starting Tuesday the 7th of July, it’s not one for the faint-hearted. The swell is a solid 10ft from the WSW, with a long 16-second period, and the energy is moderate to strong (4785). The wind’s blowing offshore from the E at 19 mph, so it’ll be clean, but this is too big for most. That 10ft size and long period mean it’s expert territory. Tuesday afternoon is similar, with a 10ft swell and offshore breeze at 12 mph.
Wednesday the 8th is rough. The morning has a 8ft SW swell with a 14-second period and a cross-shore wind at 16 mph, creating chop. The afternoon winds pick up to 19 mph, still cross-shore, and the swell jumps to 10ft from the SW. Not worth paddling out.
Thursday the 9th, Thursday morning actually looks clean with a cross-offshore wind from the SSE at 16 mph, and a 12ft SW swell (12-second period, moderate energy at 3772). Light rain rolls in by afternoon, and a strong 25 mph cross-shore wind and a 15ft swell (strong energy at 7317) makes it messy and poor.
Friday the 10th, the swell is still big. Friday morning shows a 7ft WSW swell with a very long 18-second period, but it’s cross-shore at 12 mph, creating a chop (strong energy at 6131). Friday afternoon, the swell goes to 12ft from the SW, again cross-shore at 12 mph, with very strong energy (9771). That’s expert-only, and the cross-shore wind isn’t helping.
Now, Saturday the 11th of July is our first standout. Saturday morning, the swell drops to 7ft from the SW with a 15-second period, and we get a light offshore breeze from the ESE at 6 mph. Clean, consistent (moderate energy at 3109). The afternoon is even better: 6ft from the WSW (14-second period), with a glassy offshore breeze from the E at only 3 mph. That’s clean, manageable for experienced surfers.
Sunday the 12th keeps that run going. Sunday morning, offshore wind from the E at 6 mph, 7ft WSW swell, 16-second period (moderate energy at 2178). Sunday afternoon, glassy conditions again with an ENE breeze at 3 mph and a 7ft WSW swell at 15 seconds. Both are clean, decent waves for those who can handle it, but Karekare is a fairly consistent spot, so it’s not a surprise to see some good windows.
Monday the 13th, the swell starts to drop off. Monday morning is 5ft from the WSW, 14 seconds, with a cross-offshore NE breeze at 6 mph. It’s clean but marginal (785 energy). Afternoon is smaller at 4ft, with a light cross-shore.
From Tuesday the 14th, through to Sunday the 19th, we’ve got a stretch of messy surf. Winds turn NW and cross-shore to onshore, swells bounce from 5ft to 15ft, often with strong energy and poor conditions. A few days have onshore winds and rain. There’s no real recommendation here.
Then we get our second standout: Monday the 20th of July. Monday morning, a 8ft swell from the WSW with a 16-second period (strong energy at 5717) and a gentle offshore breeze from the ESE at 9 mph. This is exceptional for experts. Afternoon holds a 8ft WSW swell (17-second period, moderate energy at 3680) with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSE. Clean, powerful.
Tuesday the 21st of July is still good. Tuesday morning, 6ft from the WSW, 16 seconds, glassy offshore from the E at 3 mph. Clean and fun for those who can handle it.
Wednesday the 22nd of July, the swell fades. Wednesday morning is 4ft WSW, 14 seconds, with a light offshore breeze. Wednesday afternoon is tiny at 4ft, but glassy – dead calm. A nice end to the run.
So, bottom line: If you’re an experienced surfer, Saturday the 11th and Monday the 20th are your windows. Saturday morning and afternoon are clean and solid. Monday the 20th morning is the biggest swell that’s still manageable and clean. The rest of the 16 days is either too big, too messy, or too small.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Tue night, strong winds from the S by Thu morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | WSW 18 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4611 | 3773 | 2155 | 2125 | 3416 | 2815 | 2889 | 6048 | 5676 | 2703 | 6314 | 2007 | 2102 | 1126 | 2475 | 2178 | 1762 | 1261 | 785 | 508 | 236 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 2:53PM2.72m | 3:15AM2.76m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:12PM0.78m | 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 | |||||||||
7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 12 | WSW 16 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
4611 | 3773 | 2155 | 2125 | 99 | 460 | 2889 | 1042 | 1004 | 2703 | 3457 | 2007 | 2102 | 1126 | 2475 | 2178 | 1762 | 1261 | 785 | 508 | 236 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | SW 22 | WSW 20 | WSW 18 | — | SSW 6 | SW 20 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 |
174 | 98 | 31 | 2 | — | 404 | 828 | 227 | 596 | 1199 | — | 104 | 552 | 915 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 21 | — | — | WSW 24 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 |
— | — | — | 18 | — | — | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | 455 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | — | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SSW 7 | E 3 | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NNW 3 | NW 6 |
37 | 32 | 54 | — | 3416 | 2815 | — | 6048 | 5676 | 2229 | 6314 | 158 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 66 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 13 | 6 | 78 | 86 | 86 | 78 | 115 | 86 | 48 | 95 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 14 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Auckland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










