Surf Forecasts:
Mahia Spit surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, NE swell with 116 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with NE 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mahia Spit in the next 16 days are 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 14s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mahia Spit over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Thu night, light winds from the NNE by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the SSW by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
25 | 10 | 21 | 65 | 38 | 40 | 80 | 39 | 39 | 26 | 103 | 93 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 46 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:13PM1.39m | 5:32AM1.31m | 5:58PM1.42m | 6:18AM1.34m | 6:42PM1.45m | 7:03AM1.37m | 7:25PM1.47m | 7:48AM1.41m | 8:09PM1.49m | 8:34AM1.45m | 8:54PM1.49m | 9:20AM1.48m | 9:41PM1.50m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:30PM0.30m | 11:42AM0.26m | 00:16AM0.26m | 12:29PM0.23m | 1:01AM0.22m | 1:15PM0.20m | 1:46AM0.18m | 2:02PM0.19m | 2:30AM0.16m | 2:48PM0.17m | 3:14AM0.14m | 3:36PM0.17m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | S 15 | S 13 | S 13 | NE 10 | S 14 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 |
1680 | 1589 | 733 | 499 | 333 | 193 | 176 | 140 | 39 | 26 | 103 | 37 | 1037 | 2258 | 1359 | 24 | 4132 | 1356 | 833 | 470 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | ESE 10 | SE 12 | E 15 | E 13 | ESE 13 | NE 6 | S 15 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 12 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 |
28 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 38 | 17 | 101 | 40 | 151 | 93 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 46 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | E 16 | SE 15 | NE 10 | — | SE 13 | SE 13 | E 10 | S 20 | S 12 | SSW 4 | — | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 13 | SE 12 | — | — | SSW 18 | SE 12 |
25 | 5 | 9 | 4 | — | 27 | 42 | 2 | 7 | 47 | 2 | — | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | — | — | 31 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | SW 2 | — | NW 2 | S 8 | S 9 | — | W 3 | S 14 | — | — | — | NW 3 |
— | 10 | 21 | 65 | 38 | 40 | 80 | 39 | 1 | — | 1 | 804 | 580 | — | 5 | 1894 | — | — | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 7 | 7 | 33 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 42 | 56 | 89 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











