Mangawhai Heads surf break

Mangawhai Heads surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Friday 10 Apr 2026 NZST
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
20.2° C
(Which is 1.0°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 Saturday (Apr 11) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 6.0m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Mangawhai Heads in the next 16 days are 8.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 12) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Apr 12) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 11th Apr)20ft (6.0m) 15s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 11th Apr)20ft (6.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sun 12th Apr)26ft (8.0m) 14s

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 65mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Sat night, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the ESE on Sat night, light winds from the NW by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Mon night, strong winds from the WSW by Wed afternoon).

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
0
!
!
4
3
2
1
3
2
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.7
NNE
1.9
NNE
3.5
ENE
5
ENE
6
ENE
7
ENE
6.5
ENE
4
NE
1.7
ENE
1.6
ENE
1.3
ENE
1
E
0.8
E
0.9
E
0.8
E
0.6
E
0.5
E
0.4
E
0.3
E
0.2
E
0.2
E
Period(s) (?)14131313141414121110109141313121212111111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1189123546508785135721831415649417073752236318025328421510571442199
Wind
(km/h)
15
SSE
20
SE
30
SE
40
ESE
45
ESE
50
ESE
30
SW
35
W
20
WNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
15
WNW
15
NW
15
WNW
25
NW
35
W
40
WSW
20
W
20
WNW
25
W
15
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffoffoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:48PM
1.73
1:25AM
1.81
1:42PM
1.68
2:21AM
1.80
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:13PM
0.54
7:52AM
0.66
8:07PM
0.57
8:49AM
0.65
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Sunrise6:41--6:41--6:43--6:43--6:45--6:45--6:46--
Sunset-6:02--6:01--6:00--5:59--5:58--5:57--5:54-
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
thunderstorm
clear
Rain (mm)
-----52121--2--281---2-
Temp. °C192019192021212019212118202017171716191916
Feels °C (?)171817131415191717201917191914101013161513
  • 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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