Surf Forecasts:
Mangawhai Heads surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, NNW swell with 155 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with N swell.
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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mangawhai Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about Mangawhai Heads in feet and miles.
Honestly, the next week and a half is a tough slog. From today, Monday 3rd August, right through to Friday 14th August, it’s all pretty flat and messy. Tiny waves, wrong wind, and hardly any energy in the water. The first real chance of a wave doesn’t pop up until Saturday 15th August, and even that’s a bit of a question mark.
The clear standout of the whole 16-day window is Sunday 16th August. The morning brings a solid 10ft swell from the NE, with a period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 1230 (strong to very strong wave energy). That’s a lot of power. The wind is light and cross-off from the WSW, so it’ll be clean. That afternoon, it drops a bit to 8ft, also from the NE, but the wind turns offshore from the W, and the period stretches to 10 seconds. The energy is still huge at 1219. This is big, powerful surf – definitely for experienced surfers only. Beginners should stay well clear. The swell direction is NE, which is a good match for the optimum here.
The morning of Monday 17th August still has a solid 7ft NE swell (energy 836), but the wind swings to a cross-off from the NW, so it’s still worth a look for the experienced crew. The afternoon holds 7ft from the ENE (energy 790) with a light cross-off from the SW. That’s still a decent wave, but the Saturday 15th swell is a bit of a mixed bag – 7ft in the morning (energy 533) and 10ft in the afternoon (energy 893), but both have ‘questionable tide conditions’ flagged, so it’s a bit of a gamble.
Water temp is sitting around 59°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year off Mangawhai Heads. The crowds here can be around sometimes, but with this much swell, it’ll be the hardcore locals out only.
So, to wrap it up: if you’re an experienced surfer, mark Sunday 16th August as your day. Get there early for the clean, big sets. The week after that holds some size but with a bit more wind. Otherwise, it’s a long wait for anything worthwhile.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 5°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | NE 12 | SSE 4 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ENE 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | NE 15 | NE 16 | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 23 | 16 | 86 | 26 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 155 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 10:16AM1.99m | 10:35PM2.14m | 10:59AM2.00m | 11:17PM2.11m | 11:46AM2.00m | 00:03AM2.08m | 12:36PM1.99m | 00:53AM2.04m | 1:32PM1.99m | 1:50AM2.00m | 2:34PM2.00m | 2:53AM1.99m | 3:38PM2.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:33PM0.31m | 5:04AM0.28m | 5:15PM0.35m | 5:46AM0.28m | 6:01PM0.39m | 6:32AM0.28m | 6:52PM0.43m | 7:23AM0.29m | 7:49PM0.47m | 8:20AM0.30m | 8:53PM0.48m | 9:22AM0.29m | 10:00PM0.45m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | |
 | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — |
 | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 12 | ENE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | NE 16 | ENE 14 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 |
| kJ | 10 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 26 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 11 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 12 | ENE 9 | NE 11 | ENE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 15 | E 6 | N 12 | ENE 13 | NE 14 | NE 13 | ENE 12 |
| kJ | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 23 | 7 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 16 | ENE 7 | NE 14 | NE 18 | NE 18 | NE 16 | NE 16 | NE 12 | ENE 8 | NE 18 | E 9 | NE 16 | NE 16 | NE 16 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | N 12 | N 12 | E 11 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 10 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SSE 4 | SE 7 | S 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | W 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 2 |
| kJ | — | 9 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 16 | 86 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 109 | 155 | 19 | 6 | 7 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 71 | 71 | 42 | 10 | 98 | 5 | 5 | 71 | 30 | 97 | 73 | 73 | 75 | 42 | 393 | 31 | 26 | 73 | 166 | 73 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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