Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 5,711 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Raglan-Manu Bay this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Raglan-Manu Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's shaking for Raglan-Manu Bay.
Right off the bat, the next week and a bit is looking pretty grim for a proper surf. We’ve got a big, messy storm cycle moving in, so you can basically write off the next few days for any quality time on the point. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much what you'd expect for this time of year.
This Saturday the 29th, there’s a tiny bit of swell around 4ft from the WNW in the morning, but it’s cross-shore and a bit weak with only moderate energy (392). The afternoon cleans up nicely with glassy conditions and a 2ft swell from the WSW, but it’s just too small to get excited about.
Sunday the 30th kicks off a run of strong south-westerly winds. The swell builds fast, hitting 8ft by the afternoon, but with a cross-shore, lumpy mess. The combined energy is huge (3580), but it’s all blown out. Same story all the way through to Thursday the 5th of September – plenty of size, but the wind is just trashing it. We’re looking at a solid week of poor conditions.
Finally, things start to look a bit more promising around the 7th of September. Monday the 7th is the standout. The wind goes light and glassy or cross-offshore, and the swell sits at a solid 7ft to 8ft from the WSW. The period is nice and long (14-17 seconds), which is a proper groundswell. This is an advanced wave, and with those conditions, Manu Bay will be offering up some proper, long, wrapping lines. The energy is off the charts (3113-3847), so it’ll be powerful.
After that, the size jumps up again, with a huge 16ft+ swell hitting on the 9th and 10th of September. That’s big, dangerous stuff, especially on a west-northwest wind. Not one for the faint-hearted. Look to the 12th of September for another clean-up, with an 12ft swell and light offshore winds in the morning. That's another day for the experienced crew.
So, if you can wait, the pick of the bunch is Monday the 7th of September. Get out there early for the glassy conditions and a serious, long-period groundswell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Tue morning, light winds from the W by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | WSW 13 | W 19 | WSW 8 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | W 8 | W 14 | WSW 14 | W 9 | WSW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
188 | 140 | 188 | 471 | 3580 | 4272 | 4739 | 4918 | 5250 | 5322 | 5332 | 3337 | 2426 | 1933 | 1928 | 678 | 686 | 2217 | 1032 | 1033 | 1111 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:52AM2.91m | 11:04PM3.07m | 11:25AM2.96m | 11:37PM3.09m | 11:59AM2.97m | 00:12AM3.05m | 12:34PM2.93m | 00:48AM2.95m | 1:13PM2.84m | 1:30AM2.81m | 1:58PM2.70m | 2:20AM2.63m | 2:55PM2.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:58PM0.14m | 5:18AM0.12m | 5:32PM0.12m | 5:54AM0.11m | 6:09PM0.17m | 6:31AM0.17m | 6:47PM0.28m | 7:10AM0.28m | 7:30PM0.44m | 7:53AM0.44m | 8:21PM0.62m | 8:44AM0.63m | 9:22PM0.79m | ||||||||
6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | — | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | W 14 | WSW 14 | — | WSW 15 |
188 | 115 | 141 | 307 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3337 | 2426 | 1933 | — | 678 | 366 | 2217 | 1032 | — | 795 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | NW 8 | W 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 22 | W 20 | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
149 | 67 | 188 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 67 | 307 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | WSW 13 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
55 | 140 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | — | — | — | WSW 14 | W 8 | W 8 | — | WNW 7 | W 9 | WSW 10 |
— | — | 117 | 471 | 3580 | 4272 | 4739 | 4918 | 5250 | 5322 | 5332 | — | — | — | 1928 | 367 | 686 | — | 437 | 1033 | 1111 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 0 | 56 | 128 | 195 | 114 | 179 | 179 | 179 | 268 | 191 | 238 | 249 | 249 | 191 | 228 | 249 | 108 | 201 | 109 | 191 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Raglan and West Waikato | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











