Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 6,506 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Raglan-Manu Bay this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Raglan-Manu Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the first week and a bit is a write-off for any good surfing at Raglan-Manu Bay. We’re looking at a solid stretch of poor conditions with strong, messy winds, starting Monday the 31st of August. The swell is there, pushing 12ft to 13ft with a very long 14-16 second period, and the combined energy is massive – we're talking 4584 to 6101 – but the cross-onshore and cross-shore winds are just ruining it. It’s lumpy, chopped out, and not worth your time. This messy run goes right through until Thursday the 3rd of September, when the wind finally swings offshore (WNW) but the swell has dropped to 4ft, and it’s still marginal.
We get a bit of a reprieve on Saturday the 5th of September. The morning sees a clean sky with a gentle cross-shore breeze, and we’ve still got a solid 10ft swell from the W, period 14 seconds, and the combined energy is a big 3998. It’s listed as marginal, but with the wind backing off, it's your best shot in the first week. The downside? It’s an advanced wave, and at that size it’s only for the experienced crew. You’ll want to watch for the crowds, because this spot can get busy.
Now, for the true standout. You want to circle the morning of Thursday the 10th of September. The swell is a manageable 5ft from the WSW with a very long 17-second period, giving it heaps of energy (1971). The wind is a slight air, cross-onshore, but it’s light enough to be glassy. This is the kind of day where the long-period groundswell will wrap into the point perfectly, producing those long, clean walls you dream about. It’s a bit smaller, so even a strong intermediate could have a go, but the longer period makes the paddling easier between sets.
Then, the absolute highlight for the second week lands on the morning of Friday the 11th of September. Glassy conditions, with a 6ft WSW swell and a 17-second period (combined energy 1978). The forecast is calling for excellent surf for experienced surfers. This is a morning you don't sleep in for.
Saturday the 12th of September morning also looks clean with a light cross-offshore breeze and a solid 6ft swell on that same 16-second period. Monday the 14th of September morning is cleaner again, but the swell is down to 4ft, so it’s a fun size for a log or a fish.
The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good steamer.
Look, after the 10th, things start to drop off in size and energy, but that Thursday, Friday, and Saturday window is the one to chase. Promising, but you know how the long-range forecast can be – always keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Fri morning, light winds from the W by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | W 14 | W 10 | WSW 14 | W 10 | W 12 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 16 | W 16 | WSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4584 | 5703 | 6081 | 6101 | 4875 | 3158 | 2182 | 1803 | 1976 | 612 | 1484 | 724 | 1321 | 2454 | 3549 | 3998 | 3606 | 2775 | 3498 | 3351 | 4944 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 11:59AM2.97m | 00:12AM3.05m | 12:34PM2.93m | 00:48AM2.95m | 1:13PM2.84m | 1:30AM2.81m | 1:58PM2.70m | 2:20AM2.63m | 2:55PM2.54m | 3:28AM2.45m | 4:16PM2.42m | 4:58AM2.37m | 5:54PM2.44m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:09PM0.17m | 6:31AM0.17m | 6:47PM0.28m | 7:10AM0.28m | 7:30PM0.44m | 7:53AM0.44m | 8:21PM0.62m | 8:44AM0.63m | 9:22PM0.79m | 9:48AM0.80m | 10:41PM0.90m | 11:16AM0.88m | 00:11AM0.85m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 8 | 2 |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 14 | W 20 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | W 8 | W 14 | W 10 | WSW 14 | — | — | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 16 | W 16 | NW 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | 3158 | 67 | 1803 | 1976 | 270 | 1484 | 724 | 1321 | — | — | 3998 | 3606 | 2775 | 3498 | 3351 | 142 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 18 | — | WSW 15 | — | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 307 | — | 612 | — | 371 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | — | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 7 | W 10 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 16 |
4584 | 5703 | 6081 | 6101 | 4875 | — | 2182 | — | — | — | — | — | 314 | 2454 | 3549 | — | — | — | — | — | 4944 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 179 | 249 | 136 | 141 | 179 | 238 | 249 | 249 | 228 | 228 | 249 | 228 | 249 | 179 | 109 | 191 | 252 | 90 | 249 | 292 | 179 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Raglan and West Waikato | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Raglan-Manu Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Raglan-Manu Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Raglan-Manu Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Raglan-Manu Bay 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 (Raglan-Manu Bay) 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 Raglan-Manu Bay 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.
Raglan-Manu Bay is 42 km (26 miles) from Hamilton. If you plan a holiday in Raglan and West Waikato, look for hotels and other accommodation in Hamilton. Hamilton has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











