Surf Forecasts:
Mahia Spit surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, ESE swell with 417 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Mahia Spit this week:
The surf forecast for Mahia Spit over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mahia Spit in the next 16 days are 1.7m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) 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 5.5m 12s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mahia Spit over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun morning, gales from the SW by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSW on Wed morning, light winds from the W by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | E 8 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | S 12 | SE 14 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 15 | E 14 | E 12 | ESE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
313 | 297 | 417 | 256 | 162 | 108 | 46 | 46 | 0 | 47 | 365 | 354 | 49 | 147 | 16 | 20 | 28 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 17 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:41PM1.61m | 9:08AM1.52m | 9:30PM1.55m | 9:58AM1.49m | 10:19PM1.49m | 10:47AM1.45m | 11:07PM1.43m | 11:35AM1.41m | 11:54PM1.37m | 12:23PM1.37m | 00:42AM1.32m | 1:11PM1.34m | 1:30AM1.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:30PM0.06m | 3:02AM0.05m | 3:22PM0.10m | 3:51AM0.09m | 4:12PM0.15m | 4:37AM0.14m | 5:00PM0.21m | 5:24AM0.20m | 5:48PM0.27m | 6:09AM0.26m | 6:36PM0.32m | 6:55AM0.30m | 7:24PM0.36m | ||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
— | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 5 | 1 | -1 | -2 | -1 | -1 | -2 | -4 | -5 | -3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | — | SE 14 | SE 9 | S 14 | SSE 9 | S 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 |
313 | 297 | 417 | 256 | 158 | 108 | 26 | 46 | — | 47 | 365 | 3192 | 994 | 941 | 378 | 579 | 1531 | 925 | 389 | 284 | 157 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | ENE 9 | SE 16 | SSW 16 | E 10 | N 11 | E 10 | — | — | — | ESE 13 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 8 | SSE 17 | S 16 | ESE 8 | E 14 | E 14 | E 12 | ESE 13 |
214 | 121 | 9 | 306 | 162 | 2 | 46 | — | — | — | 17 | 354 | 49 | 147 | 57 | 267 | 28 | 4 | 14 | 12 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | ESE 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 8 | SE 14 | E 15 | N 15 | NE 14 | — |
344 | 229 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 16 | 20 | 7 | 17 | 4 | 8 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | S 6 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NNW 2 | — | — |
95 | 414 | 2362 | 2365 | 2031 | 1347 | 1177 | 2721 | 8535 | 6316 | 4880 | 4493 | 2553 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 112 | 112 | 164 | 273 | 160 | 86 | 160 | 171 | 169 | 100 | 102 | 73 | 33 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
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)
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Information about the Mahia Spit Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Mahia Spit provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Mahia Spit can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Mahia Spit 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 (Mahia Spit) 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 Mahia Spit 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.
Mahia Spit is 48 km (30 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.











