Mangawhai Heads surf break

Mangawhai Heads surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Saturday 21 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
20.3° C
(Which is 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 Saturday (Mar 21) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Mangawhai Heads in the next 16 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Mar 26) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 21st Mar)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Best Surf10AM (Fri 27th Mar)6ft (1.8m) 8s
Most Powerful 7AM (Thu 26th Mar)10ft (3.0m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Tue morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
E
0.7
E
0.6
E
0.6
E
0.4
NNE
0.4
NNE
0.4
NNE
1.3
ENE
1.5
ENE
1.9
ENE
2
ENE
2.2
NE
3
NE
2.5
NE
2.5
NE
3
NE
3
NE
3
NNE
1.8
N
1.8
NE
1.1
ENE
Period(s) (?)10109912121256778888888888
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)121876359515750901933494235731018844818109711761030368354138
Wind
(km/h)
0
WNW
10
ENE
5
SW
10
SE
10
E
10
E
20
ENE
25
ENE
25
E
30
E
30
ENE
30
ENE
30
ENE
30
NE
35
NE
35
NNE
35
NE
30
N
10
NNW
5
ENE
10
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
on
glasscross-
on
ononcross-
on
onononononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
glasscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:07PM
2.27
10:25AM
2.31
10:54PM
2.29
11:11AM
2.27
11:43PM
2.27
12:01PM
2.20
12:35AM
2.22
12:54PM
2.11
1:31AM
2.15
1:52PM
2.01
2:32AM
2.07
2:56PM
1.93
3:38AM
2.03
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:06PM
0.05
4:26AM
0.14
4:50PM
0.03
5:14AM
0.16
5:37PM
0.05
6:05AM
0.21
6:27PM
0.11
6:59AM
0.29
7:21PM
0.19
7:57AM
0.37
8:21PM
0.28
9:02AM
0.43
9:25PM
0.34
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Sunrise7:24--7:24--7:26--7:26--7:26--7:28--7:28--
Sunset-7:31--7:30--7:30--7:28--7:27--7:24--7:23-
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
heavy rain
thunderstorm
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
------2------215105111--
Temp. °C202019202019191918191919202019191920232320
Feels °C (?)201920202020171615141415171616151517262520
  • 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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