Mangawhai Heads surf break

Mangawhai Heads surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Saturday 13 Dec 2025 NZDT
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
21.0° C
(Which is 2.8°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s 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 12 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 19) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Dec 20) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 17th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 17th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 1PM (Fri 19th Dec)5ft (1.6m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mangawhai Heads over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Thu afternoon). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Fri
19
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
N
1.4
E
1
E
1.2
E
1.5
E
1.3
E
1.3
ENE
1.3
ENE
1.2
ENE
1.2
ENE
1.3
ENE
1.2
ENE
1.4
NE
1.5
NE
1.4
ENE
1.2
ENE
1.2
ENE
1.2
ENE
1.4
ENE
1.5
ENE
1.5
ENE
Period(s) (?)1598877777888877889899
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)157286111168246157145158144174187172241235202170190222262328360
Wind
(km/h)
10
SW
15
ESE
20
E
15
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
20
NE
15
NE
10
NNE
15
NNE
30
NNE
20
NNW
15
SW
25
SW
10
W
15
W
10
W
15
NW
10
NW
10
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
ononononononcross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:29AM
1.86
2:51PM
1.98
3:27AM
1.81
3:44PM
1.90
4:23AM
1.80
4:36PM
1.85
5:16AM
1.82
5:26PM
1.83
6:05AM
1.86
6:14PM
1.83
6:52AM
1.91
7:00PM
1.85
7:36AM
1.96
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:46AM
0.45
9:25PM
0.40
9:41AM
0.53
10:16PM
0.43
10:36AM
0.58
11:05PM
0.44
11:29AM
0.60
11:52PM
0.43
12:20PM
0.59
12:38AM
0.41
1:08PM
0.57
1:23AM
0.38
1:54PM
0.53
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Fri
19
Sunrise-5:58--5:58--5:58--5:58--5:58--5:58--5:58-
Sunset--8:31--8:32--8:34--8:34--8:35--8:36--8:36
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
Rain (mm)
------------37--14-16
Temp. °C171918181919181919192121191919151714141816
Feels °C (?)141615161615161516181816181514121312121615
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 12 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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