Last Chance surfForecast / Gisborne and Mahia / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Wednesday 20 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Last Chance surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Last Chance sea temperature is
15.2° C
(Which is 1.1°C colder than average for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Last Chance this week:

The surf forecast for Last Chance over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 21) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Last Chance in the next 16 days are 2.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Thursday (May 21) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Thu 21st May)3.5ft (1.0m) 5s
Best Surf 6AM (Sun 24th May)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 25th May)6.5ft (2.0m) 18s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
3
2
3
3
1
2
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSE
9
0.6
SSE
8
0.4
SSE
8
0.4
SE
7
0.5
NE
4
0.5
NE
5
0.5
NE
8
0.4
SE
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.6
S
14
0.9
S
13
1
ENE
12
0.9
S
13
1.2
S
15
1.6
S
17
2
S
17
1.7
S
16
1.5
S
14
1.3
SSE
13
1.3
SSE
13
1
SSE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
70
47
24
12
9
14
32
25
38
129
272
274
280
623
1422
2318
1422
925
608
538
323
Wind (km/h)
15
N
20
NE
15
N
15
NNW
10
NNE
5
WNW
5
SSW
5
E
10
N
5
SW
5
S
10
W
10
SW
10
SE
10
NE
10
NNE
20
NE
15
N
15
N
10
NNE
10
NNW
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
glassy
glassy
on
cross
glassy
cross
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
8:44PM1.97m
9:18AM1.80m
9:41PM1.91m
10:13AM1.75m
10:38PM1.84m
11:07AM1.68m
11:36PM1.75m
12:03PM1.61m
00:31AM1.68m
1:00PM1.56m
1:24AM1.61m
1:57PM1.54m
2:16AM1.56m
Low Tide
2:28PM0.09m
3:09AM0.08m
3:26PM0.08m
4:06AM0.07m
4:23PM0.08m
5:02AM0.08m
5:19PM0.11m
5:58AM0.11m
6:15PM0.17m
6:51AM0.15m
7:10PM0.24m
7:42AM0.22m
8:07PM0.31m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:09
7:09
7:09
7:11
7:11
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:00
5:00
4:59
4:59
4:58
4:57
4:57
Temp °C
13
14
12
15
18
15
15
14
13
14
14
13
13
14
12
13
14
15
17
18
16
10
10
8
13
15
12
14
13
11
13
12
12
11
12
10
10
10
13
15
16
14
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSE
9
0.6
SSE
8
0.4
SSE
8
0.4
SE
7
0.2
SSE
7
0.5
NE
5
0.5
NE
8
0.4
SE
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.7
ENE
11
0.9
S
13
1
ENE
12
1
ENE
11
1.2
S
15
1.6
S
17
2
S
17
1.7
S
16
1.5
S
14
1.3
SSE
13
1.3
SSE
13
1
SSE
12
Energy kJ
70
47
24
12
4
13
32
25
38
103
272
274
240
623
1422
2318
1422
925
608
538
323
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ENE
5
0.3
E
8
0.2
E
8
0.4
NE
4
0.2
SSE
9
0.2
SSE
9
0.2
SSE
9
0.4
NE
7
0.4
SE
10
0.6
S
14
0.8
ENE
10
0.8
S
12
0.9
S
13
0.9
ENE
10
0.9
ENE
10
0.8
ENE
10
0.8
ENE
10
0.7
ENE
10
0.7
E
10
0.9
ENE
10
0.6
E
10
Energy kJ
4
13
6
4
8
8
8
11
23
129
114
169
280
180
176
131
133
104
98
180
70
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
E
9
0.2
E
13
0.2
E
13
0.2
E
8
0.2
E
9
0.2
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
11
0.2
ENE
9
0.3
SSW
5
0.5
S
9
0.3
S
5
0.1
E
11
0.6
SSW
15
0.9
SSE
6
0.1
SE
20
0.1
SE
21
0.6
ENE
5
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SSW
12
Energy kJ
13
14
13
6
6
14
12
7
6
44
5
2
186
53
16
17
19
45
57
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
NE
3
0.7
NE
4
0.3
N
2
0.5
NE
4
0.9
SSE
5
1.1
SSE
6
0.4
NE
3
0.6
NE
4
0.7
NE
5
1
NE
6
1.1
NE
7
Energy kJ
4
18
1
9
35
71
2
14
29
74
118
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
2
4
4
3
3
2
2
3
Distance (km)
11
11
71
86
161
16
1
16
12
0
9
0
0
8
8
8
8
10
8
8
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
3
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
3
1
4
4
4
3
5
6
9
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
7
5
6
9
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 Last Chance Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Last Chance provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Last Chance can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Last Chance 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 (Last Chance) 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 Last Chance 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.

Last Chance is 38 km (24 miles) from the city of Gisborne. If you plan a holiday in Gisborne and Mahia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Gisborne. Gisborne has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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