Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 5,189 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 17s. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the first few days are a bit of a write-off. We've got some solid size coming in from the get-go, but the wind is just wrecking it. Tuesday morning has a decent 8ft swell from the WSW, but that 12 mph cross-wind is chopping it all up. It's a tough one to get excited about. The energy is there, massive actually (2482), but it's not doing us any favours.
Wednesday and Thursday look a little more promising, but still not firing. The swell drops a touch, but we start to see some cleaner conditions. By Thursday morning, we get a light offshore from the NNW, and the swell is a solid 5ft at 13 seconds. That's a nice, long period groundswell. The energy is still moderate (841), but with that offshore wind, Manu Bay (Raglan) should start to look a bit more like itself. The cool water is about what you'd expect for this time of year.
The real standout, the one you'd be mad to miss, is shaping up for Friday the 4th of September. The morning session is the absolute pick. We've got a perfect offshore wind from the SE, barely a breath at 3 mph, and a solid 7ft WSW groundswell with a 15-second period. The energy is pumping (2104), and the conditions are described as clean. That's going to be absolutely world-class at Manu Bay. It's an advanced wave, and with that size, it's one for the experienced crew. The crowds are a thing here, so expect some company.
After that, the swell backs off a lot. Saturday the 5th has a tiny 4ft wave, and it's not worth the paddle. But then, look at this – Sunday the 7th of September morning has a lovely 5ft, 16-second groundswell from the WSW with a light offshore cross-off from the ENE. The energy is back up (2047), and it's clean. That's another very good morning.
And then we've got a monster lurking in the deep. The second week of September, specifically Tuesday the 9th, shows a massive 15ft swell from the W. That's a big, powerful groundswell with a 15-second period. The energy is off the charts (8474). This is for experts only. The wind is light, but it's cross-on, so it might not be as clean as the standouts earlier. Still, if you're a charger and the conditions line up, that's a session to remember.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a grind, but the reward is Friday the 4th of September and Sunday the 7th of September. Those are your clean, powerful days. The second week has a massive swell that could be epic if the wind plays nice, but it's a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
3296 | 2482 | 2104 | 1637 | 1496 | 1517 | 1139 | 841 | 732 | 528 | 361 | 484 | 553 | 307 | 284 | 463 | 346 | 515 | 3173 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:23AM2.39m | 8:43PM2.59m | 9:06AM2.54m | 9:21PM2.75m | 9:43AM2.69m | 9:57PM2.89m | 10:18AM2.81m | 10:30PM3.00m | 10:52AM2.91m | 11:04PM3.07m | 11:25AM2.96m | 11:37PM3.09m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:19AM0.80m | 2:37PM0.67m | 2:59AM0.62m | 3:16PM0.49m | 3:35AM0.45m | 3:51PM0.34m | 4:10AM0.30m | 4:25PM0.21m | 4:44AM0.19m | 4:58PM0.14m | 5:18AM0.12m | 5:32PM0.12m | |||||||
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | W 19 | W 18 | W 17 | — |
3296 | 2482 | 2104 | 1637 | 1496 | 1517 | 1139 | 841 | 732 | 528 | 361 | 484 | 553 | 307 | 122 | 190 | 307 | 386 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | NW 7 | WSW 13 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 92 | 86 | 273 | 210 | 137 | 153 | 127 | 26 | 57 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 | W 22 | WSW 13 | W 21 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 10 | 99 | 76 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 284 | 463 | 346 | 515 | 3173 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 249 | 249 | 252 | 228 | 228 | 249 | 249 | 56 | 90 | 0 | 222 | 249 | 90 | 0 | 56 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 122 |
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.











