Mangawhai Heads surf break

Mangawhai Heads surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Saturday 07 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
20.8° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Mar 08) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Mangawhai Heads in the next 12 days are 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Mar 11) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Mar 14) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 8th Mar)1.5ft (0.4m) 10s
Best Surf 4AM (Sat 14th Mar)3.5ft (1.1m) 8s
Most Powerful 7PM (Wed 11th Mar)15ft (4.5m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mangawhai Heads over the next 12 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 60mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SE on Wed afternoon, moderate winds from the ESE by Thu night).

Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.3
N
0.3
N
0.4
NE
0.3
N
0.4
NE
0.4
N
1.4
ENE
3
E
3.5
E
4
E
4.5
E
4
E
3
E
3
E
2.4
E
2.1
ENE
1.4
E
1.2
E
Period(s) (?)10910121210159165899101010109888
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)302623252325392977891131217629423478283318641493919578265181
Wind
(km/h)
5
SSW
10
NE
5
SW
0
WNW
10
NNE
5
SW
5
SSW
5
NNE
5
S
30
E
40
E
40
E
50
ESE
55
SE
45
ESE
40
ESE
40
ESE
30
ESE
20
ESE
15
ESE
5
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
glasscrosscross-
off
glassglasscrossonononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononononcross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:47AM
2.18
11:12PM
2.11
11:27AM
2.10
11:53PM
2.05
12:07PM
2.00
12:35AM
1.97
12:49PM
1.91
1:20AM
1.89
1:34PM
1.81
2:09AM
1.82
2:23PM
1.74
3:03AM
1.77
3:19PM
1.69
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:11PM
0.19
5:30AM
0.30
5:51PM
0.25
6:11AM
0.38
6:31PM
0.33
6:54AM
0.48
7:13PM
0.41
7:39AM
0.57
7:59PM
0.49
8:29AM
0.64
8:50PM
0.55
9:25AM
0.69
9:46PM
0.58
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Sunrise7:11--7:13--7:13--7:13--7:15--7:16--7:16--
Sunset-7:52--7:51--7:50--7:47--7:46--7:45--7:44-
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------111118226--1---
Temp. °C191917192018192018191918171718202020212221
Feels °C (?)1818171919171920181513119811141519212322
  • 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 12 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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