
Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, W swell with 9,281 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Raglan-Manu Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Raglan-Manu Bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) 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+) | 9PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the local haunts.
We’ve got a bit of a rough start, to be honest. The first few days are a write-off thanks to messy winds and funky conditions. But hold on, because there’s a window of clean, lined-up swell coming. The real standout is going to be a specific morning next week, but we’ll get to that.
The water temp is sitting at 59°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Alright, let’s break it down. Sunday the 19th is a pass. We’ve got a 8ft swell from the WSW, but it’s coming in with a 16-second period and a stiff cross-breeze. The energy is decent (2925), but the wind is just ruining it. Not worth paddling out.
Monday the 20th is where it starts to get interesting. The morning sees the swell drop to 5ft, still from the WSW, but the wind swings around to a light cross-offshore breeze from the ENE. The energy is still solid (1076), and the wave comment says “clean.” This is an excellent chance to get some long, drawn-out lines at Raglan-Manu Bay (point). The 14-second period means there’s good power, and the light offshore wind will keep the faces glassy. The afternoon is similar, just a touch smaller at 5ft, but still clean. Crowds can be a thing here sometimes, so get out early.
Tuesday the 21st morning is still clean, with a light offshore wind and 4ft swell. It’s a smaller day, but still fun if you’ve got a longboard. The energy is down to 522, but it’s clean. The afternoon turns sour when the wind goes cross-shore.
From Wednesday the 22nd right through to the end of the first week, it’s a mess. The wind goes onshore or cross-shore, the energy drops, and the quality disappears. There’s a big spike in swell on the 25th and 26th, with massive 13ft to 15ft waves, but the wind is howling. 28 mph onshore winds on the 25th and gusts up to 31 mph on the 26th mean it’s gonna be a frothy, blown-out disaster. Not for paddling. That’s kite-surfing territory if anything.
Then we get to the big one. Sunday, August 2nd. The afternoon session is looking like the best of the whole 16-day window. The swell is pumping at 21ft from the W, with a very long 14-second period. The energy is massive at 16325, and the wind is light enough with a moderate breeze. The catch? The wind is onshore, but the comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions” with a score of 7/10. For a wave of this size, a light onshore breeze can actually be your friend, offering a bit of texture. But this is massive. 21ft waves are for experts only. If you’re not a seasoned charger, stay on the beach and watch. The potential is huge for a few deep-water barrels if the tide plays ball, but it’s a long-range call, so it’s promising but not set in stone.
After that, the swell drops back, but the wind turns nasty again on the 3rd, so that single Sunday afternoon is the one to circle.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the WSW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2925 | 2254 | 1472 | 1076 | 886 | 649 | 490 | 468 | 321 | 365 | 99 | 183 | 378 | 586 | 670 | 167 | 458 | 427 | 2553 | 3528 | 7584 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:43PM2.74m | 2:02AM2.79m | 2:27PM2.59m | 2:46AM2.59m | 3:14PM2.43m | 3:36AM2.41m | 4:08PM2.31m | 4:37AM2.28m | 5:20PM2.24m | 5:51AM2.22m | 6:41PM2.28m | 7:02AM2.25m | 7:41PM2.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:54PM0.43m | 8:23AM0.46m | 8:40PM0.61m | 9:08AM0.61m | 9:29PM0.79m | 9:56AM0.75m | 10:27PM0.93m | 10:54AM0.87m | 11:38PM1.01m | 12:10PM0.91m | 00:57AM0.99m | 1:21PM0.87m | 1:57AM0.90m | ||||||||
7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 11 | 5 | — | 3 | 7 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 7 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 6 | W 8 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | — |
2925 | 2254 | 1472 | 1076 | 886 | 649 | 490 | 468 | 321 | 365 | 94 | 83 | 378 | 586 | 670 | 56 | 458 | 337 | 2553 | 3528 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 6 | — | — | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 56 | 51 | 49 | 183 | 47 | — | — | 167 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 7 | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | WSW 8 | — | — | W 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 99 | — | — | — | — | 59 | — | 427 | — | — | 7584 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 140 | 179 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 56 | 228 | 165 | 0 | 0 | 227 | 228 | 308 | 179 | 224 | 289 | 247 | 461 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Raglan and West Waikato | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










