Surf Forecasts:
Mangawhai Heads surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NNW swell with 929 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mangawhai Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mates, Rusty here again. Let's cut through the static and get to the good stuff for Mangawhai Heads over the next couple of weeks. It starts off dead as a doornail, and we've got a fair bit of waiting to do before the ocean wakes up. But don't write it off just yet, there's one session that looks like it'll be worth the hassle.
The first few days, from Friday the 7th to Saturday the 8th, are completely flat. We're talking 0.3ft dribble with nothing behind it. The water is glassy but useless. Then Sunday the 9th brings in a messy, short-period windswell of 5-6ft, but it's lumpy and cross-shore, just blown-out junk. Steer clear.
The first glimmer of hope comes Monday morning on the 10th. A cleaner 4ft swell with a light offshore breeze makes for some decent, clean surf. The energy is moderate and the period is a workable 8 seconds. It's not epic, but it's rideable. That afternoon it drops off a bit. Tuesday the 11th is another write-off with onshore winds and a stormy 7ft mess.
Now, for the real highlight: Wednesday the 12th morning. This is the one. A clean 5ft swell, light offshore winds, and clear skies. Mangawhai Heads (Kaiwaka) should have some proper shape with this NNE swell. It can be a bit inconsistent, but this is the window to be out there. Expect a few others in the water, but it's a session worth having. Thursday the 13th still has some small waves, but the magic is gone.
The second week, from the 14th onwards, is a total letdown. Friday the 14th gets blown flat by strong cross-onshore winds and a confused sea. The energy is there, but it's chaotic. Then it's a rapid downhill slide into tiny, weak surf. The weekend has some clean conditions, but the swell is under 3ft and fading fast. From the 17th onwards, it's completely flat. Water temp is about normal for this time of year. Honestly, if you don't make it out on the 12th, you might as well hang up the board for a while.
Your call to action is simple: be at Mangawhai Heads on the morning of Wednesday the 12th. That's your one shot. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat night, min 7°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 6 | NE 16 | N 3 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 7 | N 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 42 | 164 | 318 | 373 | 217 | 172 | 115 | 118 | 371 | 404 | 221 | 159 | 131 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 00:53AM2.04m | 1:32PM1.99m | 1:50AM2.00m | 2:34PM2.00m | 2:53AM1.99m | 3:38PM2.04m | 3:58AM2.00m | 4:43PM2.11m | 5:02AM2.04m | 5:44PM2.20m | 6:04AM2.10m | 6:41PM2.29m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:23AM0.29m | 7:49PM0.47m | 8:20AM0.30m | 8:53PM0.48m | 9:22AM0.29m | 10:00PM0.45m | 10:27AM0.25m | 11:07PM0.39m | 11:30AM0.18m | 00:10AM0.31m | 12:29PM0.12m | 1:08AM0.21m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | |  | |  | | | |  |  | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 13 |
Feels °C | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | NE 13 | NE 14 | ENE 13 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 7 | NE 11 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
| kJ | 15 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 373 | 217 | 172 | 115 | 118 | 5 | 404 | 221 | 159 | 131 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 15 | NE 16 | NE 14 | E 8 | N 12 | E 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | NE 12 | E 12 | — | N 12 | N 12 | N 12 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | NE 16 | NE 16 | NE 10 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | E 8 | E 8 | E 12 | E 11 | — | — | E 12 | — | — | — | — | E 14 |
| kJ | 2 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 42 | 164 | 318 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 371 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 73 | 73 | 219 | 73 | 73 | 86 | 146 | 393 | 248 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 73 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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