
Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 10,914 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 (Jul 23) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s 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 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 14s |
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 lining up for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a classic setup brewing at Raglan-Manu Bay, a point break that’s known for its long, wrapping walls. The water is sitting at 58°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The action kicks off on Thursday, July 23rd with a clean morning session. We’re looking at a 4ft swell from the WSW with a 14-second period, and a light ENE cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate at 534, but it’s that clean, lined-up point break feel that’ll have you smiling. Patchy clouds in the afternoon with a NW wind going onshore, so morning is the play.
Friday, July 24th is a write-off, honestly. The wind swings northerly and cranks up, turning the surf into a lumpy mess. Not worth a paddle.
Now, Saturday, July 25th – the ocean is angry. We’re talking a 18ft swell with a 14-second period and a combined energy of 12,355. That’s serious power. But with a 28 mph cross-shore wind, it’s just a big, messy, dangerous beast. This is strictly for the kamikaze crew or the kite surfers, not a standard paddle.
Sunday, July 26th is a redemption day. The swell drops to a still-chunky 10ft with a 15-second period from the W, and the wind turns light cross-offshore from the E. The energy is still strong at 3,665, but the wind is light, making it clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers only – it’s big, powerful, and will be a battle.
Monday, July 27th keeps the good vibes going. A 7ft morning swell from the W, 13-second period, and a clean ESE offshore wind. Energy is 1,397. This is a top call for experienced surfers – clean, solid, and the point will be running.
After that, the swell settles down. Tuesday, July 28th through Wednesday, July 29th offer smaller, clean waves in the 3ft to 5ft range, perfect for a cruiser session. The best moments are the glassy afternoon on Wednesday, with 3ft and no wind.
Thursday, July 30th is a standout. The morning sees a 5ft WSW swell, 13-second period, and clean conditions. The real magic is the afternoon: 5ft swell, but the period jumps to 16 seconds and the wind is dead calm – glassy perfection. The energy is just under a thousand at 991, but the quality will be through the roof.
Friday, July 31st is another beauty. The morning brings a 6ft swell from the W with a 14-second period and light cross-off wind. The afternoon goes glassy with a 5ft swell and a 16-second period. Clean, lined-up, and a crowd is likely given how good the forecast is for this place.
The first weekend of August, Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd, sees a solid run of 5ft to 6ft swells with light winds, but the surf is a bit more ordinary and maybe a little lumpy. The real standout window is the Monday, August 3rd morning – a 3ft swell, but the period is a massive 21 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is still 1,294, so it’s punchy. Expect long, walling waves at the point, but it might be a bit straight for the beach.
The following week, from Tuesday, August 5th to Wednesday, August 6th, the swell stays in the 6ft to 7ft range with 16-second periods, but the wind is mostly onshore or cross-offshore, making it a bit messy. Not a total loss, but not the pick of the period.
We fade out into Thursday, August 6th and Friday, August 7th with clean, small, 3ft to 4ft waves and glassy mornings. A nice, easy way to end the run.
The best on offer is the Thursday, July 30th afternoon session – that glassy, long-period, clean swell is a dream. The Friday, July 31st afternoon glass-off is a close second. Get out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun morning, min 5°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | W 14 | W 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
501 | 595 | 551 | 172 | 227 | 898 | 2364 | 9798 | 7164 | 4025 | 2284 | 1668 | 1376 | 1387 | 393 | 246 | 233 | 303 | 249 | 239 | 663 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:20PM2.24m | 5:51AM2.22m | 6:41PM2.28m | 7:02AM2.25m | 7:41PM2.38m | 8:00AM2.34m | 8:29PM2.52m | 8:48AM2.46m | 9:10PM2.65m | 9:30AM2.58m | 9:47PM2.78m | 10:08AM2.69m | 10:22PM2.88m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:54AM0.87m | 11:38PM1.01m | 12:10PM0.91m | 00:57AM0.99m | 1:21PM0.87m | 1:57AM0.90m | 2:16PM0.77m | 2:43AM0.78m | 3:01PM0.66m | 3:23AM0.66m | 3:40PM0.54m | 3:59AM0.55m | 4:16PM0.43m | ||||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 9 | 14 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 8 | WSW 13 | — | — | — | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | W 14 | W 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 |
501 | 595 | 551 | 172 | 227 | 101 | — | — | — | 4025 | 2284 | 1668 | 1376 | 1387 | 191 | 140 | 233 | 303 | 249 | 202 | 663 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | — | — | WSW 6 | WSW 10 | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 7 | W 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | — |
33 | — | — | 23 | 95 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 393 | 246 | 84 | 21 | 50 | 239 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 5 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 18 | W 16 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 11 | 87 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 19 | 175 | 898 | 2364 | 9798 | 7164 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 247 | 219 | 222 | 228 | 135 | 247 | 311 | 108 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.










