Surf Forecasts:
Makara surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 7s period, NNW swell with 745 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Makara this week:
The surf forecast for Makara over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Makara in the next 16 days are 2.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 14s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, I’m looking at a long, dry spell for surf at Makara. The next two weeks are shaping up to be pretty grim. We’ve got a real gap coming our way with nothing worth paddling out for, right through from now until the dawn of Wednesday the 16th. That’s a solid week of waiting.
We finally see a glimmer on Wednesday afternoon, 16th September, but it’s not the epic return we’d hope for. The swell is a small 4ft from the NNW, with a period of only 7 seconds—pretty weak and wind-affected. The combined energy is just 172, which is moderate at best. The wind does swing to a light offshore from the SSE, which will clean it up, but the waves themselves will be ordinary. For a beginner, that 4ft could be on the upper end of comfortable, but the quality is poor.
From there, we’re back into the wilderness. The whole second week is a mess of strong, onshore winds and bumpy, messy conditions. There are a few windows, like Friday morning, 18th September, where there’s a clean 7ft NW swell (385 combined energy), but that’s getting into expert-only territory and the surf quality is still marginal.
To be honest, Makara looks more appealing for kite surfing than paddle surfing through most of this. There’s just too much wind and not enough clean, organized swell. The whole period is a bust for a proper surf session. It happens sometimes—this spot just goes quiet. Forecasts can change, but for now, don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Fri morning, calm by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, near gales from the NW by Tue night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 6 | NW 20 | NW 19 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 16 | NW 17 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 22 | 15 | 57 | 67 | 11 | 3 | 43 | 45 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 80 | 316 | 630 | 729 | 172 | 79 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | off | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:38PM1.33m | 9:01AM1.29m | 9:19PM1.34m | 9:40AM1.30m | 9:57PM1.33m | 10:17AM1.30m | 10:33PM1.30m | 10:52AM1.28m | 11:07PM1.26m | 11:26AM1.24m | 11:41PM1.20m | 12:01PM1.19m | 00:17AM1.14m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:51AM0.26m | 3:10PM0.25m | 3:32AM0.23m | 3:49PM0.24m | 4:11AM0.24m | 4:27PM0.27m | 4:48AM0.26m | 5:03PM0.31m | 5:24AM0.31m | 5:40PM0.37m | 6:00AM0.36m | 6:19PM0.44m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — |
mm | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | -1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | SSW 14 | S 7 | S 6 | S 16 | S 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | NNW 7 | NW 7 |
| kJ | 22 | 41 | 55 | 19 | 131 | 482 | 1138 | 1422 | 715 | 449 | 432 | 426 | 272 | 156 | 81 | 56 | 22 | 6 | 172 | 79 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 19 | S 18 | SSW 17 | NNW 5 | S 6 | NW 16 | NW 17 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 16 | NW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 8 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | 21 | 30 | 150 | 99 | 11 | 33 | 43 | 45 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 36 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | NW 20 | NW 19 | NW 18 | WNW 8 | NNW 5 | — | — | NW 17 | NW 17 | NW 16 | — | — | NW 15 | NW 15 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 3 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 1 | 15 | 57 | 51 | 6 | 3 | — | — | 11 | 11 | 10 | — | — | 9 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 40 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 7 | NNW 3 | NNW 5 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | S 3 | — |
| kJ | 214 | 303 | 3 | 67 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 5 | 15 | 20 | 80 | 316 | 630 | 729 | 3 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 55 | 55 | 52 | 55 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 52 | 19 | 55 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 52 | 73 | 141 | 117 | 0 | 117 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wellington | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Makara Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Makara provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Makara can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Makara 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 (Makara) 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 Makara 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.
Makara is 10 km (6 miles) from the city of Wellington. If you plan a holiday in Wellington, look for hotels and other accommodation in Wellington. Wellington has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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