
Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 3,625 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 3AM. 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for Raglan Manu Bay over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, Monday the 10th is a bit of a write-off. There’s a touch of swell in the water – around 3 ft to 4 ft from the WSW – but the wind is messing it up with a cross-shore breeze, and the overall energy is only moderate (658). It’s marginal at best, so I’d give it a miss.
Things start to turn on Tuesday the 11th. The morning shows a clean 3 ft WSW swell with a light cross-off breeze, and then the afternoon goes glassy – dead calm, 3 ft, and that 13-second period means the waves have a bit of shape. The energy is still moderate (468), but for a quiet midweek session, it’s a solid little window.
Wednesday the 12th is a step back – the swell drops to 2 ft-2 ft and the energy fades (221-356). Not worth paddling out.
Thursday the 13th is still small, around 3 ft-3 ft, but there’s a long-period pulse (17 seconds) in the afternoon pushing the energy up to 725. The wind is clean off-shore from the east. It’s still marginal, but there’ll be the odd set that holds up nicely.
Now, here’s where we get excited. Friday the 14th is a beauty. Morning brings a clean 3 ft WSW groundswell with a 16-second period and energy climbing to 835. By the afternoon, it’s 4 ft with a gentle offshore breeze – glassy, clean conditions. This is the kind of day that makes you forget the work week. The water’s sitting at 57°F, which is about average for this time of year, so a decent wetsuit is your mate.
Saturday the 15th is the standout. Morning sees 5 ft from the WSW with a 17-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy jumps to 1221 (strong). The wind is light offshore from the SE, so the waves will be lined up and clean. Then, Saturday afternoon, the swell bumps up to 7 ft, still from the WSW, 16-second period, and the energy rockets to 2187 (very strong). The wind goes glassy. This is top-tier Manu Bay – long, peeling lefts for experienced surfers. It’s going to be a classic. Crowds are possible, but for a wave this good, you won’t mind sharing.
Sunday the 16th is solid but tricky. We’ve got 8 ft from the WSW, but a moderate southerly breeze kicks in, putting a cross-off chop on the face. The energy is massive (2845), but the wind will make it a handful. Only for the experienced crew.
Monday the 17th the swell drops to 5 ft, but a fresh southerly breeze (25-30 km/h) is blowing. It’s clean-ish, but the wind strength will make it bumpy. Not the best.
Tuesday the 18th settles down. The morning has a clean 4 ft from the WSW with a light cross-off breeze and moderate energy (712). It’s a decent option if you missed the weekend.
From Wednesday the 19th through to Monday the 24th, the swell stays in the 3 ft to 5 ft range, mostly clean and glassy at times. There’s nothing huge, but plenty of fun little waves for a longboard or a fish. The energy stays moderate (300-800 range). A nice mellow run for the patient surfer.
Then, Tuesday the 25th – another spike. The morning shows 7 ft from the WSW, 16-second period, light offshore wind, and energy at 2477 (very strong). This is another excellent window for experienced surfers, but remember it’s 9 days out, so keep an eye on it – the long-range promise is there, but it’s not locked in yet. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-shore breeze.
So, if you’re chasing the best, circle Saturday the 15th. That afternoon session is the pick of the entire forecast – big, clean, glassy, and full of energy. Friday the 14th is a close second for a cleaner, slightly smaller session. The long-range Tuesday the 25th is promising, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Stay stoked,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 18 | W 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WNW 10 | WSW 17 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
350 | 620 | 536 | 401 | 307 | 238 | 293 | 203 | 191 | 170 | 394 | 618 | 540 | 653 | 474 | 1175 | 2187 | 3591 | 2845 | 2785 | 1982 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:22PM2.82m | 8:46AM2.76m | 9:14PM3.02m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:05PM0.57m | 2:37AM0.47m | 3:02PM0.35m | 3:29AM0.27m | 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 | ||||||||
7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
— | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | 6 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | W 17 | WSW 16 | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 |
101 | 620 | 536 | 401 | 307 | 189 | 293 | 203 | 89 | 170 | 204 | 242 | 227 | 653 | 474 | 1175 | 2187 | 3591 | 2845 | 2785 | 1982 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | NW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | W 18 | WSW 12 | W 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 17 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | W 10 | W 8 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — |
350 | 22 | 74 | 41 | 26 | 238 | 55 | 14 | 191 | 163 | 394 | 618 | 540 | 120 | 66 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | — | NW 7 | W 21 | WSW 20 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | W 6 | NNW 5 | WSW 18 | W 13 | — | W 20 | WNW 8 | W 19 | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
207 | — | 8 | 35 | 135 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 107 | 127 | — | 68 | 7 | 188 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 8 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | NE 3 | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | — | E 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 113 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 108 | 108 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 56 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 110 | 108 | 48 |
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)
Latest Updates
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.











