Mangawhai Heads surf break

Mangawhai Heads surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Sunday 19 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
19.8° 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 Monday (Apr 20) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s is also forecast. 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 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 20) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 22) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Mon 20th Apr)5ft (1.6m) 7s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 20th Apr)5ft (1.6m) 7s
Most Powerful 6AM (Mon 20th Apr)6ft (1.8m) 7s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SW by Tue night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.4
N
1.3
N
1.6
N
1.3
N
1.1
NNE
1
NNE
0.9
NNE
0.5
E
0.6
E
0.6
E
0.5
E
0.4
ESE
0.3
ESE
0.3
ESE
0.3
NE
0.3
NE
0.2
E
0.2
E
0.4
ESE
0.2
E
0.2
E
Period(s) (?)7788777111111111010977109589
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)215173299191132102825786845533191781076956
Wind
(km/h)
20
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
5
NW
10
SSW
25
SW
35
SW
25
SW
25
SSW
10
S
10
SSE
10
E
15
ESE
20
ESE
15
E
15
ENE
15
E
15
E
10
E
20
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrossoncross-
on
cross-
on
onononononon
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:45PM
2.36
9:02AM
2.31
9:35PM
2.38
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:06AM
0.13
3:27PM
-0.02
3:58AM
0.14
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
Sun
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunrise--6:50--6:50--6:50--6:52--6:52--6:54--6:54
Sunset5:51--5:50--5:49--5:47--5:45--5:45--5:44--
clear
rain showers
light rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-3152--1------131----
Temp. °C201617151416141416161315151515161617171617
Feels °C (?)1714141213129711111013121211131314151413
  • 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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