
Surf Forecasts:
Last Chance surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 23s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 19s period, S swell with 4,950 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period with ESE swell.
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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 14s. 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 2.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 23s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Last Chance over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' at Last Chance over the next couple of weeks. This is a point break suited for advanced surfers—fairly consistent, but crowds can show up sometimes. The water's running a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sittin' at
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | S 24 | S 21 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1376 | 1136 | 943 | 915 | 3822 | 2300 | 1682 | 1258 | 1428 | 3253 | 4544 | 2667 | 1989 | 1106 | 563 | 367 | 325 | 108 | 238 | 193 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:06PM1.93m | 8:36AM1.77m | 8:58PM1.88m | 9:27AM1.75m | 9:50PM1.81m | 10:17AM1.72m | 10:42PM1.74m | 11:07AM1.68m | 11:33PM1.68m | 11:59AM1.65m | 00:24AM1.62m | 12:54PM1.62m | 1:14AM1.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:28AM0.06m | 2:42PM0.06m | 3:21AM0.09m | 3:36PM0.13m | 4:12AM0.14m | 4:30PM0.21m | 5:02AM0.20m | 5:23PM0.29m | 5:51AM0.28m | 6:15PM0.36m | 6:39AM0.36m | 7:08PM0.42m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | S 21 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 |
1376 | 1136 | 943 | 777 | 3822 | 2300 | 1682 | 1258 | 1428 | 3253 | 4544 | 2667 | 1989 | 1106 | 563 | 367 | 325 | 102 | 238 | 193 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSE 14 | S 10 | S 11 |
279 | 302 | 353 | 279 | 586 | 461 | 373 | 258 | 203 | 158 | 98 | 95 | 69 | 58 | 38 | 21 | 10 | 108 | 33 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 15 | S 28 | S 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 12 | — | — | S 20 | — | — | ESE 10 | E 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
110 | 205 | 15 | 915 | — | — | — | — | — | 177 | — | — | 7 | — | — | 22 | 11 | 49 | 11 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 3 | — | — | — | — | — | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | — | — | SSW 6 | — | — | — |
— | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 25 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live 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.










