Last Chance Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.00° S 177.90° E

Last Chance Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Last Chance sea temperature is
13.0° C
1.2° 

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


Last Chance surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SE swell with 3,619 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period with SSE 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Wed 22nd Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 22nd Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 28th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a solid window coming up, but the first real standout is right on the doorstep. The ocean is waking up with a decent pulse of long-period groundswell, and the conditions are looking prime for the experienced crew.

Tuesday, July 21st is the go. Early morning at Last Chance is the pick of the bunch. We’re looking at a 7ft swell out of the south, with a very long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent rubber. The wind is light out of the southwest, making for a clean, cross-off breeze. The combined swell energy is cranking hard at 2298, so there’s plenty of grunt. This is a point break, so that long period will wrap in nicely, offering up some real shape. It’s advanced territory at this size, and it’s fairly consistent, but keep in mind conditions can get a bit uncertain as the tide moves. The swell direction is south, which is a solid match for the break’s optimum from the northeast. The wind will be light and cross-off, keeping the face glassy. Absolutely the best session on offer.

Wednesday morning, July 22nd also looks tasty. The swell drops to 4ft from the south-southeast, but the period is still a long 12 seconds. The wind goes glassy – dead calm – which is a major positive. The combined energy is moderate at 512. The waves will be clean and well-shaped, a great session for anyone who can handle a point break.

We hit a dry spell from Wednesday afternoon through to Friday, with the swell bottoming out to flat and choppy conditions. Not worth paddling out.

Saturday, July 25th shows a bit of life with an offshore wind from the west-northwest and a 3ft swell from the east-northeast, but the energy is low at 255. It’s a pickable option, but not a standout.

Sunday, July 26th has a pulse of short-period swell. The afternoon session sees a 6ft swell from the south-southeast, but with a short 8-second period, it’ll be a bit lumpy. The wind goes offshore from the west though, so it’ll be clean. The energy is moderate at 858. Worth a look if you’re desperate.

Monday, July 27th is a write-off. Strong winds will trash the surface, making it choppy and messy.

Tuesday, July 28th sees the swell building again, but strong cross-off winds will keep the quality low. Not recommended.

Now, the next big standout is looking like Wednesday, July 29th. The morning session is a beauty. The swell is 6ft from the east-southeast, with a long 13-second period. The wind is glassy again – dead calm. The combined energy is strong at 1244. This is another prime session for experienced surfers at Last Chance. The waves will be clean, powerful, and well-shaped. This is the second true standout.

Thursday, July 30th continues the run with a 6ft east-southeast swell and a 12-second period. The wind is light offshore from the west-northwest, keeping the waves clean and orderly. The energy is moderate at 798. A very solid option.

The surf then tapers off into the first week of August, with smaller, weaker swells and increasing winds. Sunday, August 3rd is a monster, but it’s a problem. The swell is 15ft from the south-southeast, with a short 11-second period. The combined energy is huge at 4911. This is way too big for anyone but the most elite experts, and even then, it’s likely to be a close-out. The break is described as a point, but at that size and short period, it’s going to be a washing machine. Not a recommended session.

The outlook then fades into poor conditions with strong winds and heavy rain mid-week, before a final clean-up on Wednesday, August 5th afternoon. That afternoon brings a 5ft south swell with a very long 16-second period, and a cross-off wind from the north-northwest. The energy is still strong at 1891. It’s a promising late call, but we’re a long way out, so treat it as a hopeful possibility.

Overall, the two clear standouts are Tuesday morning July 21st and Wednesday morning July 29th. Both offer strong, clean, long-period groundswell with glassy or offshore winds. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Sun morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
2
3
1
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
2
3
3
1
0
0
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
S
16
1.8
S
15
1.5
S
13
1.2
SSE
12
1
S
12
1
S
13
0.7
S
12
0.6
S
11
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
ENE
10
1.4
NE
7
0.9
ENE
11
0.9
E
11
3
S
10
2.2
S
9
1.7
SSE
8
1.4
ESE
13
1.8
ESE
13
2.5
SE
13
3
SE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2203
1430
824
469
299
334
144
89
35
32
30
178
205
195
1690
777
366
613
1041
2511
3619
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
5
SE
15
N
5
WSW
5
E
5
WNW
15
N
15
NE
15
NNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
25
N
20
WNW
30
SW
25
SW
5
NNE
5
W
40
SSW
45
SSW
40
S
25
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
on
off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
11:07AM1.68m
11:33PM1.68m
11:59AM1.65m
00:24AM1.62m
12:54PM1.62m
1:14AM1.58m
1:46PM1.61m
2:03AM1.55m
2:36PM1.59m
2:51AM1.51m
3:22PM1.58m
3:37AM1.48m
4:08PM1.56m
Low Tide
5:23PM0.29m
5:51AM0.28m
6:15PM0.36m
6:39AM0.36m
7:08PM0.42m
7:27AM0.42m
8:00PM0.47m
8:15AM0.47m
8:50PM0.50m
9:04AM0.48m
9:37PM0.50m
9:53AM0.48m
10:23PM0.49m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
cloud
mod rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:14
 mm
5
2
9
5
3
Temp °C
10
10
9
10
11
10
12
14
11
14
15
14
12
11
10
10
8
10
10
10
10
Feels °C
8
8
5
8
9
8
8
10
7
9
10
9
6
4
2
8
6
2
-1
1
3
  • 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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