
Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, W swell with 3,177 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s period. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 3PM. 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 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.
We’re looking at the legendary Manu Bay (Raglan-Manu-Bay), and honestly, the pattern is shaping up with a couple of standout windows. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so nothing weird there.
The first real highlight hits on Sunday afternoon, July 12th. We’ve got a clean 5ft swell coming from the WSW, with a very long period of 16 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and it’s wrapping in nicely. The wind is glassy, light NW at 3 mph, which means the surface will be like a mirror. The combined energy is pumping at 914 (moderate), and for a point break like this, that long period is going to reel off some beautiful, lined-up waves. This is the pick of the early run.
The next standout is Thursday morning, July 16th. The swell is a solid 7ft from the WSW, still with a long 16-second period. The wind is glassy again—NNW at 3 mph. This is a powerful wave, and with the energy reading at 2224 (strong), it’s going to be a serious session. This is for experienced surfers only; it’s too big for beginners.
Then we have to look at the weekend of July 19th. Sunday afternoon, July 19th, is another cracker. Swell is 6ft from the WSW, 16 seconds, and the wind is cross-offshore from the east at 9 mph, keeping it clean. Energy is 1611 (strong). This is a solid, clean option.
After that, the swell drops off. There’s a dry spell from around July 21st through to the 23rd, with small waves and building winds. The size comes back up on Friday, July 24th, with a 8ft to 8ft WSW swell, but the period drops to a short, weak 8 seconds. That’s windswell, not groundswell, and it’s going to be a bit of a mess. The wind stays cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but the shape will be poor. The energy is moderate (960-979), but it’s a frustrating kind of wave.
The very end of the run, Sunday morning, July 26th, shows a tiny 3ft swell with a very long 18-second period, and glassy conditions. It’s small, but if you’re on a log, it could be a fun, clean session.
For the real standout: hands down, Sunday afternoon, July 12th, and Thursday morning, July 16th. The 12th is the cleaner, more manageable size, while the 16th is for the big-wave crew. Both are glassy, both have proper groundswell. Don’t expect to have the place to yourself—crowds are "sometimes" an issue here, but for sessions like these, it’s worth it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 11 | W 17 | W 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
914 | 669 | 536 | 341 | 163 | 500 | 334 | 231 | 2237 | 3177 | 2795 | 2224 | 2002 | 1705 | 1187 | 1187 | 1154 | 1517 | 1913 | 2665 | 1807 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:32PM2.84m | 8:54AM2.80m | 9:25PM3.04m | 9:49AM2.93m | 10:15PM3.18m | 10:40AM3.02m | 11:04PM3.25m | 11:28AM3.04m | 11:51PM3.24m | 12:14PM3.00m | 00:36AM3.14m | 12:59PM2.89m | 1:19AM2.99m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:46AM0.44m | 3:11PM0.31m | 3:40AM0.27m | 4:03PM0.17m | 4:30AM0.15m | 4:51PM0.09m | 5:19AM0.11m | 5:38PM0.08m | 6:07AM0.13m | 6:24PM0.14m | 6:54AM0.20m | 7:08PM0.27m | 7:40AM0.31m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | |
5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | 5:22 | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 5 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | NW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 11 | W 17 | W 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 |
914 | 669 | 536 | 341 | 73 | 500 | 334 | 231 | 2237 | 3177 | 2795 | 2224 | 2002 | 1705 | 1187 | 1187 | 1154 | 1517 | 1913 | 2665 | 1807 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | NW 7 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 | W 21 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 163 | 102 | 160 | 73 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 81 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 22 | W 20 | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 9 | 71 | 126 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 247 | 222 | 0 | 114 | 141 | 0 | 194 | 0 | 0 | 183 | 0 | 101 | 108 | 119 | 119 | 56 | 0 | 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.











