
Surf Forecasts:
Karekare surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 14,161 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 21s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Karekare in the next 16 days are 5.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Karekare over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's have a proper look at what's on the menu for Karekare.
We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up. The first few days have some clean, punchy swells, but then things get messy for a long stretch. The best window for a paddle is right at the start, and then again way out at the beginning of August.
The water temperature is sitting at about 59°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so a 4/3 steamer is your friend.
Monday, July 20th is the standout. We’re looking at a solid 7ft groundswell from the WSW with a 14-second period. That’s proper energy, with a combined swell energy reading of 2053, meaning there’s plenty of power in the water. The wind is a light NE breeze, so it’s cross-off, keeping the face clean. This is excellent, experienced surfers only territory – it’s solid and will have some push. That wind direction is also perfect for the break, almost acting like offshore. Karekare can get a crew, but it’s worth it.
Tuesday morning, July 21st still holds. The swell drops a touch to 6ft, but it’s from a clean SW direction with a 14-second period. The big news is the wind: a light ESE breeze, which is full offshore. That’s a major positive, promising smooth, clean lines. It’s still got a solid energy reading of 1064. Tuesday afternoon sees the wind swing cross-shore and the quality drops a notch, but the morning is a serious option.
Then we hit a dry spell. From Wednesday, July 22nd all the way through to Thursday, July 30th, the wind is mostly onshore, cross-onshore, or just plain strong. The swell gets huge – we’re talking 13ft, 18ft, even 23ft later on – but the wind is a mess. It’s going to be blown out, choppy, and ugly. For a couple of days around the 30th, the swell is too big for the break, even with favorable wind, so that’s a no-go for paddle surfing. Honestly, this whole stretch looks more interesting for kite surfing than a traditional surf session.
After that long, poor run, we get a flicker of hope. Saturday, August 1st morning looks promising. The swell drops back to a manageable 6ft from the SW, with a 14-second period and a clean 1480 energy reading. The wind is a light ESE cross-off breeze, which is going to make for some clean, fun waves. It’s a long way out, so don’t bank on it, but conditions are looking good.
Monday, August 3rd morning also has a clean cross-off wind, but the swell is 8ft and the energy is 4943. That’s solid, and the wind is good, but it’s a powerful swell, so it’s for the experienced crew only.
Overall, the first two days are your best bet. Don’t get fooled by the huge swell later in the period; without clean wind, it's just a washing machine. Keep your eyes on that first morning and maybe the start of August.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Thu night, near gales from the WSW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | NW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2053 | 1759 | 1196 | 1058 | 1011 | 746 | 486 | 330 | 209 | 975 | 1308 | 983 | 488 | 754 | 1486 | 3469 | 3899 | 14088 | 13444 | 9058 | 5851 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 2:21PM2.97m | 2:40AM2.92m | 3:07PM2.81m | 3:25AM2.73m | 3:57PM2.65m | 4:19AM2.55m | 4:55PM2.53m | 5:21AM2.43m | 6:00PM2.49m | 6:28AM2.39m | 7:06PM2.53m | 7:31AM2.44m | 8:02PM2.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:36PM0.65m | 9:03AM0.65m | 9:24PM0.82m | 9:52AM0.82m | 10:18PM0.97m | 10:47AM0.96m | 11:19PM1.07m | 11:46AM1.04m | 00:25AM1.10m | 12:48PM1.05m | 1:30AM1.06m | 1:49PM1.00m | 2:27AM0.96m | ||||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 4 | 6 | 6 | — | 3 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 18 | WSW 15 | WSW 12 | — | — | WSW 14 | — |
2053 | 1759 | 1196 | 1058 | 1011 | 746 | 486 | 330 | 209 | 975 | 1308 | 983 | 488 | 390 | 207 | 1208 | 3899 | — | — | 9058 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 22 | — | — | — | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — |
— | 18 | — | — | — | 31 | 51 | 102 | 121 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3009 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 3 | SE 6 | — | S 4 | SW 4 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 6 | — | NW 3 | NW 5 | NW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | — | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | — | WSW 14 |
— | — | 8 | 6 | — | 6 | 16 | 103 | 139 | 62 | — | 2 | 126 | 754 | 1486 | 3469 | — | 14088 | 13444 | — | 5851 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 132 | 172 | 95 | 35 | 236 | 308 | 319 | 319 | 90 | 144 | 319 | 163 | 372 | 231 | 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.










