
Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 17s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, WSW swell with 2,977 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period with W 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Raglan-Manu Bay in the next 16 days are 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of swell heading into Raglan’s Manu Bay over the next week or so. The standout window is the weekend, with clean, powerful groundswell and light winds lining up for some epic sessions. Things taper off after that, so don’t sleep on the good days.
The first proper call is Thursday afternoon, 13th August. Swell hits 4ft from the WSW, with a period of 13 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (871) and winds are light cross-off from the east at 12 mph. It’ll be clean and fun, but not the biggest.
Friday, 14th August morning is even better. Swell at 4ft, WSW direction, 16-second period—that’s a nice groundswell starting to fill in. Energy is moderate (834) with light ESE winds at 3 mph. Clean conditions and a long wall of a wave for the advanced crew.
Now for the true standout: Saturday morning, 15th August. Swell jumps to 6ft from the WSW, period 17 seconds, with very strong energy (1889). Winds are light SSW at 6 mph, cross-off and clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. It’s big enough to be challenging—over 5ft so not for beginners—and that long-period groundswell will stack up beautifully for the point. Expect some of the best waves of the run.
Sunday, 16th August is also pumping. Morning sees 6ft swell, 16-second period, very strong energy (2186), and offshore SE winds at 6 mph. Glassy, lined-up sets. Afternoon stays good at 7ft with clean cross-off winds. Both sessions are excellent for experienced surfers.
Monday, 17th August holds at 6ft in the morning, but winds swing southerly cross-off, still clean. Energy drops a bit (1580) but remains moderate-strong. Afternoon gets a slight cross-chop.
Tuesday morning, 18th August offers a glassy, clean session with 5ft swell from the WSW, 14-second period, and zero wind. That’s a rare, perfect window for a relaxed session with quality waves.
Wednesday and Thursday, 19th and 20th August, keep the swell around 5 to 6ft, with clean conditions. Good vibes but nothing matching the weekend peak.
From Friday, 21st August onward, the energy drops. Swell slips under 4ft, periods shorten to 14 seconds or less, and winds become less favourable. By Sunday, 23rd August and into the next week, we’re looking at small, weak surf with poor conditions. Combined energy falls below 300, and winds are onshore or cross-onshore. Not worth paddling out.
Water temp sits at 57°F, which is about average for this time of year, with a slight negative anomaly of -0.5°F. Nothing to worry about.
Bottom line: Saturday morning 15th August is the pick—solid 6ft WSW groundswell, 17-second period, light cross-off winds, and clean. Sunday 16th is right there with it. Don’t miss it.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 17 | WSW 16 | W 16 | WNW 10 | W 13 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
293 | 203 | 177 | 167 | 564 | 596 | 644 | 644 | 702 | 1821 | 2455 | 1894 | 1752 | 2441 | 1993 | 1580 | 1413 | 1061 | 756 | 989 | 950 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:39AM2.92m | 10:03PM3.17m | 10:26AM3.02m | 10:47PM3.24m | 11:09AM3.06m | 11:29PM3.22m | 11:50AM3.03m | 00:09AM3.12m | 12:29PM2.93m | 00:46AM2.97m | 1:07PM2.80m | 1:23AM2.78m | 1:45PM2.64m | 2:01AM2.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:51PM0.17m | 4:16AM0.12m | 4:36PM0.05m | 5:01AM0.05m | 5:19PM0.03m | 5:44AM0.05m | 5:59PM0.09m | 6:26AM0.12m | 6:39PM0.22m | 7:05AM0.24m | 7:19PM0.40m | 7:44AM0.40m | 8:01PM0.59m | ||||||||
7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
— | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | WSW 16 | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 13 | W 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
293 | 203 | 89 | 167 | 564 | 351 | 644 | 644 | 702 | 1821 | 2455 | 1894 | 1752 | 2441 | 1993 | 1580 | 1413 | 1061 | 756 | 989 | 950 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | W 13 | W 16 | W 14 | WSW 17 | WSW 17 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | — | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
55 | 31 | 177 | 153 | 307 | 596 | 190 | 188 | 102 | 68 | — | 344 | 434 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 7 | NNW 5 | W 20 | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
4 | 2 | 30 | 163 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | NE 3 | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 145 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 96 | 56 | 0 | 165 | 0 |
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.











