Karekare Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.00° S 174.48° E

Karekare Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 27 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Karekare sea temperature is
14.3° C
0.3° 

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


Karekare surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 13s period, SW swell with 9,795 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s 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 28) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. 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 5.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 28th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Best Surf 9PM (Sat 1st Aug)15ft (4.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 1st Aug)18ft (5.5m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Karekare.

We’re in for a bit of a wild ride over the next couple of weeks. There’s a lot of swell, but a lot of it is going to be too messy or just plain too big for a comfortable paddle. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real window of opportunity looks like it’ll be Tuesday morning, July 28th. We’ve got a 5 ft swell rolling in from the WSW with a 12-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 871. The wind is a light SSE breeze, blowing cross-offshore, which will keep things clean. It’s a good session for intermediates, but the crowds are possible here, so don’t expect to have it all to yourself.

Wednesday the 29th is looking similar. Morning and afternoon both have clean conditions with a light cross-offshore breeze. The swell holds around 4 ft to 5 ft from the WSW, period 11 seconds, and the energy is light to moderate (481-595). It’s a solid, surfable day for the intermediate crew.

Thursday the 30th of July, though... that’s the standout. The morning session is the pick of the whole forecast. We’re looking at a 7 ft WSW groundswell with a long 14-second period, pumping in with strong energy (1436). The wind is a light NNE cross-offshore, making for clean, lined-up waves. This is proper, high-quality surf for experienced surfers. The afternoon might get a bit choppy as the wind swings NW and picks up, so get out early.

After that, things get wild. From Friday the 31st through the weekend, the swell piles in, hitting 12 ft to 18 ft with strong onshore winds. The combined energy is massive (1951 up to 9806), but the wind is trashing it. This is not a paddle-in situation; it’s more of a kite-surfing show if you’ve got the gear.

Into the first week of August, the swell stays big, over 8 ft most days, and the wind is unreliable. Monday the 3rd has a weird entry: a 4 ft swell with a 21-second period from the SW (energy 1954). That’s a very long period groundswell, which means it’ll be super straight and fat at a beach break like Karekare. Not great for the paddle surfer. The size is fine, but the shape won’t be there.

The next real chance at something decent doesn’t come until Thursday the 6th of August. The morning shows an 12 ft WSW swell with a short 9-second period, but the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the SE (energy 2228). The problem is the size – 12 ft is expert-only territory. The same goes for Friday the 7th, with 13 ft swell and a clean cross-offshore wind. It’s beautiful to look at, but if you’re not a seasoned charger, stay on the sand.

The rest of the second week is a mixed bag of big, messy swells and strong winds. There’s a small window on the morning of Monday the 11th of August, with a 2 ft WSW groundswell (15-second period, energy 392) and a light offshore ESE breeze. It’s tiny, but clean. For the rest, it’s a case of waiting for the forecast to change.

Overall, the best bet is that Thursday morning, the 30th of July. Get out there and make it count.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Mon
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
3
2
2
2
3
3
4
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
!
!
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
12
1.4
WSW
12
1.4
WSW
11
1.4
WSW
11
1.3
WSW
11
1.9
WSW
14
2
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
3.5
W
8
4
WSW
10
4.5
WSW
14
5
WSW
14
5.5
SW
13
4
WSW
13
3
WSW
12
2.5
SW
11
2.3
SW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2121
934
669
509
458
450
389
1447
1411
1126
553
1595
2967
7233
9122
9795
5130
2679
1853
1164
Wind (km/h)
15
S
25
SSW
10
SSE
10
S
10
NE
10
ENE
10
NNE
15
N
15
NNE
20
NW
20
N
30
W
30
W
20
WNW
25
SW
25
SW
15
SE
20
SSW
20
S
25
S
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
8:48PM2.74m
9:07AM2.66m
9:29PM2.86m
9:47AM2.78m
10:07PM2.96m
10:26AM2.88m
10:45PM3.03m
11:04AM2.94m
11:22PM3.06m
11:42AM2.97m
11:59PM3.06m
12:20PM2.96m
00:36AM3.02m
Low Tide
3:12AM0.83m
3:25PM0.77m
3:51AM0.70m
4:04PM0.64m
4:28AM0.58m
4:41PM0.54m
5:04AM0.48m
5:18PM0.47m
5:40AM0.41m
5:55PM0.44m
6:17AM0.39m
6:33PM0.45m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:37
 mm
9
1
7
1
Temp °C
12
12
11
10
9
12
14
12
15
14
13
14
13
13
12
12
10
13
11
10
Feels °C
8
6
7
6
6
9
11
9
11
10
8
8
7
7
5
6
6
7
5
4
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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