
Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, WSW swell with 8,845 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Raglan-Manu Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of south-west swell lining up for the next couple of weeks, but it’s a mixed bag for quality. The standout window is definitely the first week, with a few sessions that’ll have you frothing, but after that, the wind turns ugly and we’re looking at a lot of onshore chop.
Kicking off on Monday the 7th of September, it’s a bit of a tease. We’ve got a pumping 7ft groundswell from the WSW with a very long 16-second period, giving a massive energy reading of 2708. But unfortunately, that strong 15 mph NNW wind is straight onshore, so Manu Bay (Raglan-Manu-Bay) is messy and marginal. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild. Not the day for it.
Tuesday the 8th, the swell drops a bit but the wind still has cross-off or cross in it, and the scores are low. We’re looking at a gap here – no real quality until Wednesday the 9th.
And that Wednesday the 9th is the moment. The morning session is a beauty. A clean, glassy 4ft swell from the WSW with an 11-second period, and the wind is a dead calm 3 mph from the east. That’s as good as it gets for clean walls at Manu Bay. The energy is moderate at 375, but the conditions will make every wave count. Light crowds possible, but with conditions like this, it’s worth the company.
Thursday the 10th is a write-off – strong onshore wind and poor conditions. Friday the 11th, the swell jumps up to 8ft with a super long 18-second period, energy is huge at 4031. Morning has a clean cross-off wind from the SSW, so it could be a solid, powerful session for advanced surfers. Afternoon, that wind swings and the swell hits 12ft with lumpy chop – not for the faint-hearted.
Saturday the 12th, the swell hangs in around 13ft, but the wind is strong cross-shore and messy. It’s a big, powerful beast, and for most, it’ll be too much. Only experts should even think about it, and then only with caution.
Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th, the swell eases slowly, but the wind stays cross or cross-off. Afternoon Sunday has some clear skies and a 10ft swell, but the cross-shore wind makes it lumpy. Monday morning is the cleaner option with a 8ft swell and a light wind, but the energy is still strong at 2581.
From Tuesday the 15th onwards, we’re into a long stretch of onshore and cross-onshore winds. The swell sticks around, but it’s blown out. The best of a bad lot is Wednesday the 16th morning, with a 7ft swell and clean cross-off wind, but it’s fading. The following week, from Thursday the 17th right through to Tuesday the 22nd, is mostly poor with onshore wind and messy conditions. The energy drops off after the 19th, and by the 21st and 22nd, we’re looking at small, weak and choppy surf. Not worth paddling out for.
So, the one and only true standout is Wednesday the 9th of September, morning session at Manu Bay. Glassy, clean, and fun. If you’re feeling froggy, Friday the 11th morning offers some big, powerful lines if you’ve got the skill. After that, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Wed night, strong winds from the SW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2872 | 2107 | 1795 | 557 | 711 | 875 | 374 | 270 | 231 | 237 | 561 | 286 | 1208 | 3198 | 6711 | 8192 | 3920 | 8088 | 6482 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 6:25AM2.41m | 7:10PM2.60m | 7:36AM2.55m | 8:09PM2.79m | 8:34AM2.72m | 8:59PM2.96m | 9:23AM2.87m | 9:44PM3.08m | 10:07AM2.98m | 10:25PM3.13m | 10:46AM3.02m | 11:03PM3.11m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:11AM0.85m | 12:46PM0.78m | 1:27AM0.67m | 1:54PM0.57m | 2:25AM0.44m | 2:48PM0.34m | 3:14AM0.23m | 3:34PM0.16m | 3:57AM0.09m | 4:16PM0.06m | 4:38AM0.02m | 4:55PM0.04m | |||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 6 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WNW 8 | WSW 15 | WNW 9 | WSW 14 | NW 9 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 12 | WSW 18 | WSW 10 | WSW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — |
2872 | 601 | 1795 | 415 | 711 | 81 | 374 | 270 | 231 | 237 | 413 | 173 | 1208 | 3198 | 6711 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 16 | — | WSW 14 | WNW 9 | W 22 | WSW 6 | WNW 8 | WSW 20 | W 19 | W 24 | WSW 17 | W 20 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 2107 | — | 557 | 165 | 9 | 41 | 28 | 132 | 184 | 11 | 286 | 618 | 833 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 5 | — | WNW 8 | W 21 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | — | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 13 | — | 47 | 77 | 17 | 6 | — | 143 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | — | WNW 8 | — | — | WSW 13 | — | — | — | WSW 5 | WSW 11 | W 7 | WSW 7 | — | — | WSW 17 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 |
268 | — | 374 | — | — | 875 | — | — | — | 29 | 561 | 210 | 355 | — | — | 8192 | 3920 | 8088 | 6482 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 109 | 164 | 96 | 0 | 56 | 108 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 120 | 119 | 247 | 109 | 108 | 204 | 131 | 185 | 296 | 191 |
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)
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.










