
Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 4,981 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 9PM (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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 9AM. 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+) | 9PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
We’re in for a bit of a slow start, but don’t go writing it off. The first few days are a bit of a write-off, with lumpy, cross-shore winds and messy conditions. The energy is there, but it’s not doing us any favours. From Monday the 3rd through to Wednesday the 5th, it’s all a bit marginal, with strong onshore winds and big, unruly swell. We’ve got a 10-foot groundswell on Tuesday morning with a 16-second period, but it’s being thrashed by a 19 mph cross-breeze, making it a real dog’s breakfast. The water temps are about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about.
Thursday the 6th sees a real drop-off. The swell shrinks to 3 feet with a 12-second period, and the energy is weak (243). It’s glassy in the morning though, with a light 3 mph easterly, so if you’re desperate for a paddle, you might find a clean little one. But honestly, it’s pretty ordinary. Friday and Saturday are flat and onshore, with rain and weak swell. Not worth the drive.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. From Sunday the 9th, things start to turn. Sunday afternoon brings a glassy 3-foot swell from the WSW, with a 14-second period and a touch of energy (478). The wind is light, and it’s looking clean. It’s not big, but it’s a sign of better things.
Monday the 10th is the first real standout. The morning brings a clean 3-foot groundswell from the WSW, with a 16-second period and a light E wind. The energy is solid (686). By the afternoon, the swell pushes to 5 feet from the W, with a 16-second period and a clean cross-off breeze. The energy jumps to 1175. This is the one to circle. The Manu Bay point will be running nicely, with long, peeling lines. The crowd can be a factor here, so get in early.
The rest of the week holds plenty of clean, fun surf. Tuesday the 11th, Wednesday the 12th, and Thursday the 13th all offer waist-to-chest-high waves with that long-period groundswell and light offshore or glassy conditions. The energy sits in the moderate range, but the quality is there. The swell direction is WSW, which is spot-on for Manu Bay.
The next big standout comes on Sunday the 16th. The morning delivers a 8-foot swell from the W, with a 12-second period, and a light S breeze. The energy is strong (1892), and it’s clean. This is a session for the experienced crew—it’s going to be powerful and punchy. The point will handle it well, but it’s no place for beginners.
The final day, Tuesday the 18th, looks like a cracker. A 10-foot W swell with an 11-second period, clean offshore ESE wind, and a massive energy reading of 3345. This is a big, powerful swell, and it’s only for the experts. The point will be working, but it’ll be a serious paddle.
So, the best on offer? Monday the 10th for the clean, long-period groundswell that’s still manageable, and Sunday the 16th for the bigger, more committed session. The long-period swells are best at a point like Manu Bay, so you’ll get those long, groomed walls.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Sun night, fresh winds from the SW by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri night, min 6°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
190 | 713 | 3820 | 4327 | 4981 | 906 | 651 | 1143 | 745 | 451 | 190 | 129 | 106 | 56 | 68 | 73 | 423 | 457 | 300 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:39AM2.98m | 1:02PM2.81m | 1:15AM2.90m | 1:41PM2.73m | 1:56AM2.79m | 2:24PM2.63m | 2:43AM2.66m | 3:16PM2.53m | 3:41AM2.53m | 4:24PM2.44m | 4:57AM2.44m | 5:57PM2.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:59AM0.33m | 7:13PM0.40m | 7:38AM0.39m | 7:55PM0.51m | 8:20AM0.48m | 8:42PM0.64m | 9:07AM0.60m | 9:38PM0.77m | 10:04AM0.73m | 10:47PM0.86m | 11:21AM0.81m | 00:15AM0.85m | |||||||
— | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 17 | 6 | 6 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | -1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | W 19 | — | — | — | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 |
190 | 713 | — | — | — | 868 | 543 | 1143 | 745 | 451 | 190 | 129 | 106 | 56 | 68 | 73 | 423 | 457 | 275 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | — | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | W 15 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | SW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 18 | W 10 |
153 | — | — | — | — | 906 | 651 | — | 60 | 51 | 44 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 46 | 34 | 112 | 125 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 21 | W 21 | W 19 | W 18 | — | W 10 | W 18 | WSW 13 | W 18 |
64 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 34 | 30 | 26 | — | 8 | 25 | 32 | 300 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 7 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 325 | 3820 | 4327 | 4981 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 56 | 224 | 249 | 238 | 140 | 151 | 101 | 56 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 227 | 110 | 197 | 161 | 135 |
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.











