Makorori Centre Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.66° S 178.12° E

Makorori Centre Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Makorori Centre sea temperature is
13.3° C
0.8° 

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


Makorori Centre surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, S swell with 3,662 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 2.1m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.4m and 11s 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 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Wed 19th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Best Surf 6PM (Wed 19th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 19th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Makorori Centre over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. The next 16 days are a real mixed bag. We’re starting with a couple of days of powerful, but messy, swell that’s just not going to be any fun. Then there’s a real window of opportunity around the 21st and 22nd with some clean, long-period groundswell. After that, it’s a long, slow fade into small stuff and poor conditions.

The only name on the map here is Makorori Centre (Gisborne), a beach and reef setup that’s exposed to the SSE. The water temperature is sitting at 56°, which is about 1° cooler than normal, so pretty average for this time of year.

Right now, Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are a write-off. We’ve got a solid 10ft to 12ft swell from the SSE and S, but the wind is howling out of the SW and S at 22 to 28 mph, creating a horrendous cross-shore chop. The wave energy is extreme (1400-5000+), but it’s just a washing machine out there. Not worth a look.

Thursday the 20th is still a bit of a mess. The swell drops to 6ft – 6ft from the S, period drops to 8 seconds, but it’s still cross-shore with a moderate breeze. The wave energy is still moderate (977-1191), but it’s marginal and lumpy. A pass.

The standout window is Friday morning, the 21st of August. This is the one to circle. The swell drops to a clean 3ft from the SSE, but the period jumps to 16 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The kicker is a light offshore breeze from the NW at 6 mph. The wave energy is moderate (660), and it’s going to be clean. With that long period, it’ll be lining up at the reef, so expect some nice, walled-up waves. This is the best session on offer.

Saturday the 22nd will still be worth a paddle. Swell is smaller, 2ft – 3ft from the SSE, with a period of 11-12 seconds. The wind is offshore from the NW and WNW at 12 mph, so it’ll be clean. Wave energy is low (140-202), so it’s a fun, small-wave board kind of day. Crowds are *sometimes* here, so you might have some company.

From Sunday the 23rd onwards, the surf gets very small. The swell drops under 2ft, and while the wind is often offshore or glassy, the wave energy is low to very low. There are a few moments on Monday the 24th morning (2ft, 9s) and Tuesday the 25th morning (2ft, 16s) with clean conditions, but the size is tiny. The 25th afternoon gets glassy with a 2ft, 15s SSE swell, but it’s just ordinary.

The rest of the week into the end of August and start of September is a lull. We’re looking at a long gap of small, weak, or windy conditions. There’s a slight puff of energy on the 2nd of September with a 4ft SSE swell and 8-second period, but the wind is from the S at 12 mph, making it cross-on and choppy. Not great.

So, to sum it up: don’t get wet until Friday morning the 21st. That’s the day. The morning of the 22nd is a decent backup. After that, it’s a long wait for anything worthwhile.

Stay stoked,
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Tue night, light winds from the NE by Fri morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Tue
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
12
3
SSE
11
3.5
S
11
2.4
S
14
1.8
SE
9
1.6
SE
9
1
ESE
9
0.9
SSE
16
1.1
SSE
16
0.9
SSE
13
0.8
SSE
12
0.7
SSE
11
0.6
SSE
11
0.4
SSE
10
0.4
SE
10
0.2
ESE
12
0.6
SSE
9
0.6
SSE
14
0.3
SSE
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1373
2981
2513
2966
2441
488
460
157
371
554
246
164
115
79
40
32
15
66
160
66
Wind (km/h)
45
SW
50
SSW
45
S
35
SSW
20
SW
25
SW
20
SSW
10
WNW
10
NW
15
NE
15
NW
20
NW
20
WNW
25
NW
25
NW
20
NW
35
WNW
10
NW
20
NE
15
NW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross
off
High Tide
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
4:42AM0.14m
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
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:45
6:43
6:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
 mm
1
6
2
Temp °C
10
9
10
10
9
11
12
10
13
13
12
15
17
14
16
18
14
15
15
13
Feels °C
0
-2
1
2
3
6
7
7
10
9
9
10
13
8
11
14
7
12
10
10
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 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.

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