Mangawhai Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.08° S 174.60° E

Mangawhai Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 15 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Mangawhai Heads sea temperature is
16.7°C
1.5° 

Mangawhai Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Mangawhai Heads surf forecast from 15 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 15 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, N swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 15 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, N swell with 205 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 15 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s 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 Thursday (Oct 15) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Mangawhai Heads in the next 16 days are 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Oct 15) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Friday (Oct 16) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Thu 15th Oct)3.5ft (1.0m) 7s
Best Surf 7PM (Thu 15th Oct)3.5ft (1.0m) 7s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 15th Oct)4.5ft (1.4m) 7s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu morning, light winds from the SE by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
N
6
1.4
N
7
0.8
N
7
0.7
N
6
0.4
NE
9
0.9
SE
5
1.1
SE
5
0.6
ESE
5
0.3
NE
10
0.5
E
7
0.5
ESE
7
0.2
N
15
0.4
ESE
7
0.3
NE
11
0.4
NE
11
0.4
NE
11
0.4
NE
10
0.4
NE
10
0.4
NE
10
0.4
NE
10
0.3
ENE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
191
205
61
40
22
35
58
19
18
26
28
18
18
18
29
29
28
28
26
24
17
Wind (km/h)
35
NNW
30
WSW
20
WNW
25
WSW
25
SSW
20
S
15
S
10
SE
15
SW
20
SSW
10
SSW
10
SW
10
SW
15
SW
15
SW
10
SW
0
W
15
SW
25
SW
25
SW
10
SW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:04AM2.10m
11:17PM1.97m
11:46AM2.03m
00:00AM1.89m
12:31PM1.95m
00:45AM1.80m
1:18PM1.87m
1:34AM1.73m
2:10PM1.82m
2:28AM1.68m
3:05PM1.80m
3:27AM1.67m
4:00PM1.81m
Low Tide
5:25PM0.39m
5:39AM0.32m
6:09PM0.47m
6:22AM0.40m
6:55PM0.55m
7:08AM0.48m
7:45PM0.61m
7:58AM0.54m
8:38PM0.65m
8:52AM0.58m
9:35PM0.64m
9:48AM0.59m
10:30PM0.60m
light rain
clear
clear
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
—
—
6:37
—
—
6:35
—
—
6:35
—
—
6:33
—
—
6:31
—
—
6:31
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:36
—
—
7:37
—
—
7:37
—
—
7:37
—
—
7:38
—
—
7:39
—
—
7:40
—
 mm
4
—
—
1
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
17
15
12
15
15
12
13
14
12
17
17
12
18
17
12
17
18
13
16
16
13
Feels °C
12
9
7
9
10
7
7
10
9
13
14
10
16
13
10
16
18
11
11
11
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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