Surf Forecasts:
Point Annihilation surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, S swell with 8,076 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Point Annihilation this week:
The surf forecast for Point Annihilation over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Point Annihilation in the next 16 days are 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Point Annihilation over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Howdy, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about what’s on the cards for Point Annihilation (reef and point). First week is a total dud – Tuesday the 18th through Sunday the 23rd is all onshore gales (28-34 mph) and big, messy swell up to 13 ft. Not a wave worth paddling for. Water temp is 54°F, which is a bit colder than usual – grab the thick rubber.
First real window opens Friday morning the 21st. Wind swings light NNW cross-off at 6 mph, and we’ve got a clean 6 ft south groundswell with a very long 16-second period. Combined energy is 1971 – moderate to strong. That’s prime Point Annihilation (Canada) conditions: a long-period south swell like that will wrap beautifully into this reef and point setup, giving long, clean walls. It’s *fairly consistent* here, but crowds are *sometimes* a factor – plan for an early session. Friday afternoon holds too with 5 ft and 15 seconds. For beginners, 6 ft is pushing it; this one’s for intermediates and up.
After that it drops off. Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are small and messy with weak energy (115-372) and cross-shore winds. There’s a dry spell of a few days. Next little window is Tuesday afternoon the 25th – clean 4 ft S swell with a 16-second period, light ENE cross-off breeze. Energy is 742, not huge but clean and workable. Good for a quick paddle.
Into the second week, Tuesday morning September 1st looks solid: 5 ft S swell, 15-second period, light N cross-off winds, clean. Energy at 870. Then the real standout is Wednesday morning September 2nd: 5 ft S groundswell with a very long 17-second period, combined energy of 1693, and light NNW cross-off winds. That’s about as clean as it gets here. Best for experienced surfers – that period gives real power. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
Best of the bunch: Friday August 21st morning for the first proper session, and Wednesday September 2nd morning for the long-period standout. Everything else is either blown out or too small.
Forecasts can change, but this is how it’s looking now.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 11°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the W by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Fri morning, fresh winds from the NW by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 14 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1373 | 3168 | 8076 | 5346 | 3834 | 3334 | 607 | 671 | 381 | 1456 | 1134 | 473 | 339 | 250 | 146 | 72 | 48 | 17 | 207 | 325 | 229 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:46AM1.75m | 10:10PM1.71m | 10:33AM1.72m | 10:59PM1.67m | 11:22AM1.67m | 11:48PM1.62m | 12:14PM1.62m | 00:35AM1.57m | 1:06PM1.58m | 1:22AM1.51m | 1:56PM1.54m | 2:10AM1.45m | 2:43PM1.52m | 2:58AM1.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:01PM0.28m | 4:27AM0.30m | 4:51PM0.34m | 5:15AM0.36m | 5:41PM0.40m | 6:03AM0.41m | 6:30PM0.44m | 6:49AM0.45m | 7:20PM0.47m | 7:35AM0.46m | 8:10PM0.48m | 8:23AM0.46m | 8:57PM0.47m | ||||||||
6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | -1 | -3 | -3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 14 | SE 9 | S 14 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | S 8 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 6 | S 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 |
351 | 338 | 63 | 47 | 635 | 2814 | 201 | 94 | 381 | 1456 | 1134 | 473 | 339 | 250 | 146 | 72 | 48 | 12 | 207 | 325 | 229 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | — | — | — | S 15 | SE 9 | S 13 | S 13 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | NE 4 | ESE 13 | S 10 | S 14 | S 15 | S 16 |
46 | — | — | — | 1195 | 497 | 513 | 171 | 112 | 172 | 122 | 70 | 29 | 12 | 16 | 5 | 33 | 17 | 203 | 221 | 193 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 13 | SE 13 | S 17 | S 16 | — | S 16 | E 15 | ESE 14 | S 15 | ESE 13 | WNW 3 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 7 | 206 | 343 | — | 125 | 4 | 19 | 4 | 34 | 1 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 14 | S 9 | S 8 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 3 | — | NNW 3 | NW 3 | SW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | NW 2 |
1373 | 3168 | 8076 | 5346 | 3834 | 3334 | 607 | 671 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 6 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 92 | 311 | 169 | 92 | 162 | 7 | 46 | 162 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 33 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Point Annihilation Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Point Annihilation provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Point Annihilation can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Point Annihilation 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 (Point Annihilation) 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 Point Annihilation 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.
Point Annihilation is 48 km (30 miles) from the city of Gisborne. If you plan a holiday in Gisborne and Mahia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Gisborne. Gisborne has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











