Surf Forecasts:
Makorori Centre surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, S swell with 6,459 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Makorori Centre this week:
The surf forecast for Makorori Centre over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 2.3m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 1.6m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Makorori Centre in the next 16 days are 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makorori Centre over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s switch to imperial, mate. Rusty here again.
First up, the early part of the week is a total write-off. Tuesday and Wednesday are ugly with strong southerly winds, messy, lumpy surf over 10ft, and it’s just not worth paddling out. The wave energy is huge, but it’s all wind chop. Stay home.
The first real chance comes Thursday morning, the 20th of August. It’s still marginal at Makorori Centre (a beach and reef setup), with a 6ft S swell at a short 8 seconds, and moderate cross-shore wind. The combined energy is moderate (1117), but the wind will keep it bumpy. Not a standout.
Now, Friday, the 21st of August, is the absolute highlight. Morning sees a lovely 3ft SSE groundswell with a very long 16 second period, and a light offshore breeze from the NW. That’s clean, lined up, and the water temperature is 56°, which is about normal for this time of year. The afternoon goes glassy – 3ft SSE swell, 15 second period, and no wind. The combined energy is moderate (625-627), but the quality will be outstanding. For a point and reef, that long period groundswell will wrap in beautifully. This is the day to call in sick.
Saturday the 22nd drops off quickly. The swell fades to 2-3ft, and while the afternoon goes glassy, the waves are just too small. Sunday through Tuesday (23rd to 25th of August) are small and clean with offshore winds, but the swell is tiny – mostly under 3ft. The energy is weak (83 to 244). You’ll get a few knee-high rollers.
We get a little bump on Wednesday the 26th of August. A 4ft SSE groundswell, 15 second period, and clean offshore NW wind. The energy is moderate (701). This is a solid, fun session for experienced surfers. Not as good as the Friday before, but a strong second option.
The rest of the run into the first week of September is a mixed bag. Thursday the 27th and Monday the 31st of August both offer clean, offshore conditions with 3ft SSE swell, but the energy is lower (301-347). Good for a longboard. Then, Tuesday the 1st of September brings a spike: a 7ft SSE groundswell with a 15 second period and light cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is strong (1721). This is a big, powerful swell, and at over 5ft, it’s solid for the experienced crew. The morning is clean, but the afternoon gets a light cross-onshore breeze. This one is a big, promising call, but it’s a week and a half away.
The final days of the forecast get messy again with rain and cross-onshore winds, so the window closes.
The standout is absolutely Friday, the 21st of August. Clean, glassy, long period groundswell, and the best wind you could ask for. The place will be a bit crowded, but it’s worth it. The second shout is Wednesday the 26th of August, with clean offshore winds and a solid 4ft swell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Tue night, light winds from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | SSE 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | SSE 15 | SE 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 12 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1342 | 1283 | 6459 | 2779 | 3021 | 811 | 637 | 612 | 190 | 371 | 513 | 189 | 164 | 115 | 79 | 42 | 33 | 15 | 65 | 127 | 222 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 10:03AM1.49m | 10:24PM1.49m | 10:52AM1.45m | 11:11PM1.43m | 11:39AM1.41m | 11:58PM1.37m | 12:27PM1.37m | 00:46AM1.32m | 1:15PM1.34m | 1:34AM1.29m | 2:05PM1.32m | 2:23AM1.27m | 2:54PM1.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:16PM0.15m | 4:42AM0.14m | 5:05PM0.21m | 5:28AM0.20m | 5:52PM0.27m | 6:13AM0.26m | 6:39PM0.32m | 6:59AM0.30m | 7:27PM0.36m | 7:46AM0.33m | 8:16PM0.38m | 8:35AM0.34m | 9:07PM0.39m | ||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 13 |
Feels °C | 0 | -1 | -2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | E 11 | SSE 12 | SE 14 | SSE 11 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | S 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 15 |
651 | 9 | 2981 | 47 | 1348 | 580 | 502 | 299 | 190 | 183 | 513 | 189 | 164 | 115 | 79 | 42 | 25 | 7 | 65 | 127 | 222 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | E 18 | — | — | ESE 9 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 16 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 15 | SSE 8 | ESE 12 |
41 | 6 | — | — | 389 | 811 | 189 | 116 | 124 | 371 | 135 | 81 | 33 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 10 | 44 | 41 | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSE 16 | — | SE 11 | SSE 13 | SSE 17 | SSE 9 | — | SSE 16 | E 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 8 | — | — | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | — |
— | — | — | — | 357 | — | 43 | 101 | 58 | 82 | — | 97 | 5 | 19 | 7 | — | — | 15 | 16 | 77 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSE 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | WNW 3 | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1342 | 1283 | 6459 | 2779 | 3021 | 786 | 637 | 612 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 114 | 339 | 119 | 117 | 117 | 17 | 46 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Makorori Centre Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Makorori Centre provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Makorori Centre can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Makorori Centre 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 (Makorori Centre) 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 Makorori Centre 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Gisborne and Mahia? If you are looking for accommodation near Makorori Centre, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Gisborne and Mahia, consider staying in Gisborne which is 12 km (7 miles) away.











