Mangawhai Heads surf break

Mangawhai Heads surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Tuesday 21 Apr 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Mangawhai Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Mangawhai Heads sea temperature is
19.7° C
(Which is 1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Mangawhai Heads this week:

The surf forecast for Mangawhai Heads over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Mangawhai Heads in the next 16 days are 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 23) 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 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 22) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Tue 21st Apr)2.5ft (0.7m) 7s
Best Surf 6PM (Tue 21st Apr)2.5ft (0.7m) 7s
Most Powerful12AM (Thu 23rd Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mangawhai Heads over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
NNE
0.7
NNE
0.5
E
0.6
E
0.6
E
1.1
ESE
0.8
ESE
0.7
ESE
0.6
ESE
0.5
ESE
0.5
E
0.3
ESE
0.2
E
0.3
E
0.2
E
0.2
E
0.2
E
0.2
E
0.2
E
0.2
N
0.1
N
Period(s) (?)771111111110106666999899101318
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6852578284275131102301716761465667137
Wind
(km/h)
5
SW
10
SSW
15
SW
25
S
15
SSE
25
SSE
15
S
15
SSE
10
SSW
10
S
15
S
15
SSW
15
S
10
SW
10
WSW
10
WSW
15
WSW
10
WSW
10
W
10
WSW
5
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:52AM
2.27
10:26PM
2.35
10:45AM
2.19
11:20PM
2.29
11:41AM
2.10
12:18AM
2.20
12:41PM
2.00
1:18AM
2.12
1:45PM
1.91
2:21AM
2.06
2:51PM
1.87
3:23AM
2.02
3:54PM
1.87
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:18PM
0.01
4:52AM
0.19
5:11PM
0.08
5:49AM
0.25
6:08PM
0.17
6:49AM
0.32
7:07PM
0.26
7:52AM
0.37
8:10PM
0.34
8:55AM
0.40
9:13PM
0.40
9:56AM
0.39
10:14PM
0.42
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Sunrise6:50--6:50--6:52--6:52--6:54--6:54--6:54--
Sunset-5:49--5:47--5:45--5:45--5:44--5:43--5:42-
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-3-------------------
Temp. °C161613141514131413141614161714171716171816
Feels °C (?)161510101111899111212141513151515171716
  • 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 Mangawhai Heads Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Mangawhai Heads provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Mangawhai Heads can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Mangawhai Heads 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 (Mangawhai Heads) 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 Mangawhai Heads 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.

Mangawhai Heads is 46 km (29 miles) from the city of Whangarei. If you plan a holiday in Northland, look for hotels and other accommodation in Whangarei. Whangarei has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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