Mangawhai Heads surf break

Mangawhai Heads surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Thursday 26 Mar 2026 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
20.8° 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 Friday (Mar 27) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period. 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 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Mar 26) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Mar 31) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Fri 27th Mar)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Best Surf 7AM (Fri 27th Mar)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 7PM (Thu 26th Mar)16ft (5.0m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 66mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Fri morning, min 17°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NE on Thu morning, calm by Fri night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
4
1
3
2
1
2
0
1
0
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
4.5
NE
5
NE
4
NE
3
NE
2.3
NE
1.9
NE
1.6
NE
1.3
NE
1.1
NE
0.5
E
0.7
E
0.6
E
2.4
N
1.2
NNE
0.8
NNE
0.5
NNE
0.2
E
0.2
NNE
0.3
E
1.3
E
2
ENE
Period(s) (?)101010998877121212777610111067
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)373950222962139684648129218910277146106611143602381216135350
Wind
(km/h)
50
ENE
50
NE
35
NNE
5
NW
10
NNE
5
SSE
5
SSW
5
ENE
0
WSW
10
N
15
NNE
30
N
15
WNW
25
W
20
SW
25
SW
25
SW
15
SSW
10
S
15
ENE
20
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
glassglassonglasscrosscrosscrossoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossonon
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:52PM
2.01
2:32AM
2.07
2:56PM
1.93
3:38AM
2.03
4:04PM
1.88
4:44AM
2.02
5:10PM
1.89
5:45AM
2.04
6:12PM
1.93
6:40AM
2.08
7:06PM
1.99
7:29AM
2.12
7:55PM
2.05
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:21PM
0.28
9:02AM
0.43
9:25PM
0.34
10:09AM
0.45
10:31PM
0.37
11:15AM
0.43
11:35PM
0.36
12:16PM
0.38
12:34AM
0.34
1:10PM
0.31
1:26AM
0.31
1:57PM
0.25
2:14AM
0.28
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Sunrise7:28--7:28--7:30--7:31--7:31--7:33--7:33--
Sunset-7:24--7:23--7:22--7:21--7:19--7:17--7:16-
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
Rain (mm)
213114-------416-------1-
Temp. °C181920222220212119202220222218181715181918
Feels °C (?)111215232222222220192222202016131212181816
  • 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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