Surf Forecasts:
Mangawhai Heads surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, SE swell with 450 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period with E 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mangawhai Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Yo, it’s Rusty. Let’s break down Mangawhai Heads. It’s a beach and reef spot that’s open to the swell, with a normal water temp of about 59°F – right where it should be for this time of year.
We kick off on Saturday, August 15th with some surf. There’s 4ft of east swell, short 7-second period, and a cross-off breeze from the SSW at 9 mph. The combined energy is moderate (221). It’s clean, but nothing special. Good to get wet, but don’t expect classic waves.
Sunday, August 16th drops to 3ft. The morning wind is gusty. Afternoon sees an offshore breeze from the west at 12 mph, but the swell is small at 2ft. It’s surfable but very ordinary.
Then we hit a big gap. From Monday, August 17th all the way through the next week, it’s mostly flat or messy. There are some glassy moments, like Thursday, August 20th, when the wind goes to zero and the sea is like a mirror – but the swell is only 1ft. The energy is basically nothing. It’s a long, quiet stretch.
The real action comes right at the end.
Friday, August 28th brings a big jump. The swell hits 7ft from the ESE with a 9-second period and a huge energy rating of 864. Wind is cross-off from the SSW at 25 mph. That’s strong wind and big surf – expert territory.
Saturday, August 29th is the standout. The swell is 7ft in the morning, dropping slightly to 7ft in the afternoon, both from the east with a lovely 12-second period. Winds are cross-off from the SW at 15-16 mph. The energy is massive (1424 and 1172). That is a powerful, clean groundswell. It’s for experienced surfers only. Crowds are possible at Mangawhai Heads, and on a Saturday like this, it’ll be busy.
Sunday, August 30th is a sweet finisher. The swell drops to 4ft in the morning with a long 11-second period, light cross-off wind. The afternoon goes nearly glassy with an easterly breeze at 5 mph and swell at 3ft. The conditions will be clean and beautiful.
If you’re picking one day, make it Saturday, August 29th. Big east swell, clean cross-off wind, and all that power (over 1400 energy). Just know it’s for the experienced crew, and the car park will be full.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | E 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 5 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 127 | 181 | 177 | 86 | 66 | 29 | 450 | 234 | 123 | 78 | 99 | 25 | 17 | 7 | 8 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 14 | 13 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off |
High Tide | 9:10PM2.37m | 9:34AM2.20m | 9:56PM2.31m | 10:22AM2.16m | 10:41PM2.22m | 11:08AM2.09m | 11:25PM2.10m | 11:55AM2.01m | 00:11AM1.98m | 12:44PM1.92m | 00:58AM1.87m | 1:35PM1.84m | 1:49AM1.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:06PM0.05m | 3:39AM0.07m | 3:54PM0.11m | 4:25AM0.10m | 4:41PM0.19m | 5:09AM0.17m | 5:27PM0.30m | 5:53AM0.26m | 6:13PM0.42m | 6:38AM0.35m | 7:02PM0.52m | 7:25AM0.44m | 7:53PM0.61m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | SE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 127 | 181 | 177 | 86 | 66 | 29 | 19 | 234 | 123 | 78 | 99 | 25 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 14 | 13 | 7 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 8 | N 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ESE 8 | — | E 15 | NE 11 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 6 | E 10 | E 13 | E 13 | N 10 | E 12 | N 9 | E 12 | E 11 |
| kJ | 90 | 58 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 24 | — | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | — | — | ESE 9 | — | NE 9 | — | — | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | E 8 | E 7 | NE 10 | N 10 | — | N 10 | — | N 9 | — |
| kJ | 4 | — | — | 8 | — | 13 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | — | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | W 4 | — | SE 8 | S 5 | S 4 | S 4 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | SSE 5 | SSW 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | NNW 2 | — | — |
| kJ | 9 | 4 | 13 | 16 | 14 | — | 450 | 37 | 18 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 151 | 343 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 23 | 166 | 166 | 42 | 30 | 75 | 30 | 71 | 174 | 30 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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