Mangawhai Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.08° S 174.60° E

Mangawhai Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 20 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Mangawhai Heads sea temperature is
15.6°C
0.7° 

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 20 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 25 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 15s period, E swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 24 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, ESE swell with 62 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 25 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 15s 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 Friday (Sep 25) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 5s. 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 0.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 24) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 28) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Fri 25th Sep)1ft (0.3m) 15s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 25th Sep)1ft (0.3m) 15s
Most Powerful12PM (Thu 24th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 7s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
11
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
10
0.1
NE
13
0.1
NE
12
0.1
NE
12
0.1
NE
12
0.1
NE
11
0.1
NE
11
0.2
ESE
7
0.7
ESE
7
0.5
E
6
0.2
E
15
0.2
E
13
0.3
E
15
0.4
E
13
0.3
E
13
0.3
E
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3
3
3
2
7
6
6
6
5
5
5
47
16
17
14
38
55
31
29
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
15
WSW
25
WSW
15
W
20
W
30
SW
25
SSW
25
SW
30
SW
15
SSW
15
SSE
5
SE
10
SW
15
WSW
25
SW
15
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
High Tide
2:06AM1.69m
2:48PM1.76m
3:05AM1.67m
3:46PM1.79m
4:04AM1.70m
4:39PM1.85m
4:58AM1.77m
5:27PM1.93m
5:47AM1.86m
6:11PM2.02m
6:32AM1.96m
6:52PM2.10m
Low Tide
8:32AM0.58m
9:12PM0.69m
9:30AM0.57m
10:10PM0.65m
10:25AM0.54m
11:04PM0.57m
11:17AM0.47m
11:52PM0.47m
12:05PM0.40m
00:36AM0.36m
12:50PM0.33m
1:18AM0.26m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:11
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:15
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:19
6:20
 mm
1
1
7
Temp °C
13
14
14
13
18
14
12
14
14
10
12
12
10
14
14
12
12
13
14
Feels °C
8
9
9
9
14
9
5
7
7
5
7
8
6
9
8
9
8
8
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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