Surf Forecasts:
Karekare surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, W swell with 11,500 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Karekare in the next 16 days are 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 6AM. 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+) | 6AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Karekare over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Grab your wettie and listen up. The next 16 days at Karekare are a real mixed bag of heavy-duty southern hemi groundswells and tough winds. We're looking at a serious amount of energy in the water, but it won't be easy. The standout will be a clean window next Saturday, September 12th.
We’re starting off with a wild one. This Wednesday morning, September 2nd, a big 12ft WSW groundswell with a period of 14 seconds is on the way, but it’s being hammered by a 16 mph onshore wind. The combined energy is a massive 7660 (strong to very strong), but the surf is messy and blown out. Zero stars for that. That big, unruly energy sticks around through Thursday and Friday with more onshore winds and even a 15ft spike on Monday, September 7th, making it far too big for any normal session.
The first glimmer of hope shows up on Saturday, September 5th. The afternoon sees a 10ft WSW swell at 14 seconds with a gentle cross-onshore breeze. The guide says it might be too big for this break, but the energy is there (4148) and it's the best call of the day. Sunday morning, September 6th, has a clean offshore (NNE at 9 mph) with an 12ft swell (5212 energy), but again, it's big. Only for the experienced crew.
The real gem comes next week. Wednesday morning, September 9th, is clean with a 7ft SW swell and a light SE offshore (9 mph). The energy drops to a moderate 1073, but the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers with that cross-offshore wind cleaning everything up.
But the standout, no question, is Saturday, September 12th. The morning starts with a 6ft WSW swell, a 17-second period, and light easterly offshore winds at just 6 mph. The water is clean, the energy is a solid 2354, and the conditions are dialed. The afternoon is just as good with a 6ft swell, light SSE winds, and the same clean lines. This is the day to book off. The water temp at Karekare is about average for this time of year.
Sunday, September 13th, sees a morning onshore wind and a 8ft NW swell that doesn't look great. The following week looks marginal with building wind again.
By September 16th, a massive 20ft (19768 energy) groundswell appears with a 25 mph cross-shore wind. That's a no-go for paddle surfing and would be more interesting for kite surfing than anything else.
So, hold out for that killer window on the 12th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Wed night, fresh winds from the WNW by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sat night, fresh winds from the NNW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 14 | W 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | W 16 | W 11 | W 12 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
5795 | 3959 | 3102 | 2553 | 1826 | 1823 | 1929 | 3859 | 6548 | 4597 | 3114 | 4005 | 4448 | 5152 | 5295 | 7700 | 5424 | 4966 | 7619 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:52AM2.98m | 1:17PM2.88m | 1:32AM2.84m | 2:02PM2.77m | 2:20AM2.68m | 2:58PM2.66m | 3:23AM2.52m | 4:09PM2.58m | 4:40AM2.44m | 5:28PM2.60m | 6:01AM2.48m | 6:45PM2.71m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:12AM0.34m | 7:34PM0.51m | 7:56AM0.46m | 8:23PM0.65m | 8:47AM0.59m | 9:21PM0.79m | 9:48AM0.71m | 10:33PM0.87m | 11:01AM0.79m | 11:54PM0.86m | 12:23PM0.75m | 1:15AM0.72m | |||||||
— | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 28 | 3 | 5 | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 |
5795 | 3959 | 3102 | 2553 | 1826 | 1823 | 1929 | 2155 | 2503 | 4597 | 3114 | 4005 | 4448 | 5152 | 5295 | 4965 | 1750 | 1460 | 7619 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 21 | WSW 20 | WSW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 16 | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | — | NW 9 | — |
117 | 253 | 547 | 125 | 330 | — | — | — | — | 402 | 184 | 143 | 96 | 60 | — | — | — | 115 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | — | — | — | NW 5 | W 14 | W 16 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | W 16 | W 11 | W 12 | — |
5154 | 3448 | 2655 | — | — | — | 31 | 3859 | 6548 | — | — | — | — | — | 188 | 7700 | 5424 | 4966 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 234 | 236 | 236 | 288 | 319 | 335 | 319 | 108 | 359 | 77 | 129 | 236 | 147 | 6 | 359 | 336 | 143 | 104 | 96 |
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.











