Surf Forecasts:
Mangawhai Heads surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, N swell with 791 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mangawhai Heads in the next 16 days are 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mangawhai Heads over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here again, same spot, different numbers.
Mangawhai Heads is staring at a tough couple of weeks. Water temp at the start is 61°F – right around normal for this time of year, no big deal.
Monday the 6th is a dud – 5ft of north swell with a short 6-second period, side-offshore wind at 16 mph, and weak energy (280). The whole first week is a mess of small, short-period junk. Wednesday the 8th morning shows a little 2ft easterly swell with an 11-second period, clean wind from the SSW at 12 mph (energy 290), but it’s just too small. Thursday the 9th morning is the same story: 3ft easterly, clean wind (138 energy), but very ordinary.
Saturday the 12th afternoon turns glassy with a 2ft east swell (68 energy) and a 3 mph east wind – you could get wet, but you won’t get a wave.
After that, there’s a massive dry spell until we finally get a real shot. The only day that matters is Tuesday the 21st of July. That morning brings a clean 4ft easterly groundswell, 10-second period, light cross-off SSW wind at 6 mph (398 energy). Then the afternoon is the one: 8ft of north swell, 7-second period, clean cross-off wind from the SSW at 6 mph, and the energy jumps to 675. That’s a powerful, solid swell. At that size, Mangawhai Heads is for experienced crew only – the short period means it won’t be perfect, but if you’ve got the skills, that’s your window.
Nothing else in the 16 days comes close. There’s a big gap from the 13th to the 20th with no real surf. Circle the 21st afternoon, get your big-wave gear, and hope the wind stays true.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | N 6 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 6 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 11 | ESE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 182 | 190 | 350 | 437 | 398 | 114 | 260 | 161 | 127 | 130 | 133 | 161 | 262 | 188 | 88 | 198 | 96 | 90 | 64 | 63 | 41 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:46PM2.05m | 12:11PM1.88m | 00:31AM2.03m | 1:02PM1.89m | 1:20AM2.02m | 1:58PM1.93m | 2:15AM2.02m | 2:57PM1.97m | 3:14AM2.03m | 3:58PM2.05m | 4:16AM2.06m | 5:00PM2.13m | 5:17AM2.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:41PM0.41m | 6:17AM0.38m | 6:26PM0.44m | 7:02AM0.36m | 7:16PM0.47m | 7:51AM0.33m | 8:11PM0.48m | 8:45AM0.30m | 9:12PM0.47m | 9:43AM0.25m | 10:15PM0.43m | 10:44AM0.20m | 11:20PM0.37m | 11:44AM0.13m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 |
 | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | 5:23 |
mm | — | 11 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | N 14 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 11 | ESE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 98 | 98 | 69 | 73 | 398 | 107 | 260 | 161 | 127 | 130 | 133 | 4 | 262 | 188 | 88 | 198 | 96 | 90 | 64 | 63 | 41 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 10 | ESE 6 | N 8 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | N 14 | — | N 13 | N 13 | — | — | N 12 | — | N 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 69 | 43 | 28 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 11 | E 11 | NE 7 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | N 11 | N 12 | NE 12 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 23 | 114 | 17 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | N 6 | N 8 | NNE 8 | — | SSE 5 | SSW 3 | SW 4 | WSW 3 | SSE 2 | SSE 3 | SE 6 | S 5 | S 3 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 182 | 190 | 350 | 437 | — | 26 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 161 | 20 | 1 | 67 | 69 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 176 | 90 | 27 | 91 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 119 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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