
Surf Forecasts:
Karekare surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 5,409 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) 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+) | 9PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Karekare over the next 16 days.
Imperial
Alright, let’s break it down in feet and miles. It’s been a quiet start, but the swell is coming.
First off, Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are a letdown. Small, choppy, cross-on wind swell. Not worth a paddle. The energy is weak, and the conditions are just average.
Wednesday the 15th is where it lights up. The swell hits 6ft from the WSW with a long 17-second period, and the energy is solid (3015). By the afternoon, it’s a solid 10ft from the WSW with a 16-second period, and the energy is massive (5272). That’s big, powerful, and only for experts. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore, so it’s a bit textured, but the size makes up for it.
Thursday the 16th keeps the same vibe – 10ft WSW swell, 16-second period, energy in the 4000s (strong). The wind swings offshore in the afternoon, which is a massive plus. Clean, big, and heavy. For the experts, that’s the session.
Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th are blown out. The wind is up to 12-15 mph from the SW, ruining the surface. Sunday the 19th offers a clean window with light offshore ENE wind and a 10ft SW swell, but it’s still too big for most.
The real standout window is Monday the 20th. The swell drops to a more manageable 8ft from the SW with a 14-second period, and the wind is light offshore from the east at 3 mph. The energy is 2155 (moderate). Water temp is about average for the season. This is excellent for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and with that long period groundswell, it’ll be holding up well. Crowds are possible.
Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd are smaller but still clean, with cross-off winds and swell down to 4ft. Then Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th bring another clean pulse of 6ft to 6ft WSW swell with offshore and glassy conditions. Friday morning the 24th is glassy with 0 wind – a rare gem.
The second week fades. Some small, clean swell on the 27th and 28th, but nothing major. The wind on the 28th is a fresh 22 mph cross-off, so it’ll be a fight.
Best bet: Monday the 20th and Thursday the 23rd. Both are clean, offshore, and have decent size. If you’re not an expert, the 23rd at 6ft is a better call.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed night, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sun 19 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 13 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1488 | 947 | 626 | 313 | 665 | 300 | 848 | 1900 | 5254 | 4855 | 4318 | 3913 | 2957 | 2765 | 2923 | 3420 | 3197 | 3148 | 3004 | 4396 | 4288 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:43AM2.99m | 9:14PM3.17m | 9:40AM3.11m | 10:09PM3.28m | 10:33AM3.19m | 10:59PM3.34m | 11:23AM3.24m | 11:47PM3.36m | 12:10PM3.24m | 00:32AM3.32m | 12:55PM3.20m | 1:15AM3.23m | 1:38PM3.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:40AM0.53m | 3:05PM0.47m | 3:39AM0.40m | 4:02PM0.37m | 4:32AM0.29m | 4:53PM0.30m | 5:21AM0.22m | 5:40PM0.27m | 6:06AM0.21m | 6:25PM0.29m | 6:50AM0.25m | 7:08PM0.37m | 7:34AM0.35m | ||||||||
— | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | |
mm | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WNW 8 | WSW 12 | W 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
1488 | 947 | 626 | 313 | 665 | 237 | 848 | 1109 | 5254 | 4855 | 4318 | 3913 | 2957 | 2765 | 2923 | 3420 | 3197 | 3148 | 3004 | 4396 | 4288 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 24 | WSW 13 | WSW 20 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — |
— | — | — | 11 | 225 | 160 | 408 | 1900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 872 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 22 | SW 20 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 48 | 103 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 4 | NNW 4 | NW 6 | — | WNW 8 | — | NW 6 | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 11 | 11 | 107 | — | 300 | — | 6 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 7 | 332 | 7 | 127 | 90 | 35 | 101 | 234 | 127 | 127 | 122 | 49 | 49 | 77 | 49 | 49 | 48 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
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.











