Raglan-Manu Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.82° S 174.83° E

Raglan-Manu Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Raglan-Manu Bay sea temperature is
14.0°C
0.3° 

Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with 5,072 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 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 (Aug 27) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 17s. 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 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Thu 27th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 31st Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 24th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming up at Manu Bay.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a solid run of surf on the horizon, but the first few days are a bit of a mixed bag. The swell is there, but the wind isn't playing ball for the most part. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so you won't need a steamer, but a spring suit won't go astray.

We kick off on Monday the 24th of August with a strong 12 ft to 10 ft WSW groundswell, but it's got a cross wind on it, making things a bit lumpy and the conditions are marginal. The wave energy is pumping though (4957), so there’s plenty of power, but it's not going to be clean. Tuesday the 25th is similar, dropping a touch in size to 8 ft, but still choppy. Things ease off a bit for Wednesday and Thursday the 27th, when we finally get a window of cleaner conditions. Thursday morning is the one to aim for in this first week, with a lighter 5 ft WSW swell and an offshore NW breeze. It’s only light, but the wind is off it, so the face should be clean. The wave energy has dropped to a moderate 744, but for a point break like Manu Bay, that's plenty.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. Friday the 28th through the weekend is pretty ordinary, with increasing NE cross winds and showers. The swell is small and the conditions are poor. In fact, Sunday the 30th is a write-off with a fresh 19 mph cross wind and lumpy cross-chop. It's looking more like a day for the kites than the longboards.

But hold on to your leggies, because the real deal is shaping up for the first week of September. Monday the 31st of August shows a change for the better with a clean, cross-off S wind and a small 3 ft swell. The sets should be smooth.

Now for the standouts. You want to be in the water on Thursday the 3rd of September. The morning session is looking prime with a clean, gentle offshore breeze from the ESE and a solid 10 ft W swell. The period is a bit short at 9 seconds, but the wind and the wave energy (1552) will make for some punchy, fun waves. This is for the experienced crew, it’s a big one.

However, the absolute pick of the whole 16 days has to be Friday the 4th of September. The morning is showing a clean cross-off wind from the East with an 12 ft WSW groundswell and a long, juicy 16 second period. The wave energy is massive (5341), and the conditions are forecast as excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon glass-off! That’s the cherry on top. The wind drops to zero – glassy conditions – with a still solid 8 ft swell. That is about as perfect as it gets for a point break. Manu Bay is going to be a freight train that day.

After that, the surf starts to wind down a bit for the second week, but it keeps rolling. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th still offer clean 6 ft to 4 ft waves with cross-off winds, perfect for a longboard. The real kicker is Monday the 7th of September. Another clean day with a cross-off breeze and a long period 6 ft groundswell from the WSW. The wave energy is strong again (1575). It’s looking like another excellent day for the experienced surfer.

So to sum it up, the start of the period is a bit rough around the edges. Get through that for the gems. Thursday the 3rd is great, but do not miss the Friday the 4th and the following Monday the 7th. Those are the days to call in sick.

Stay stoked.
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the NNE by Fri afternoon).

Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
3
3
2
0
2
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
WSW
11
3.5
WSW
15
3
WSW
15
3
WSW
15
2.4
WSW
15
2.2
WSW
15
2
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
14
2
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.7
W
12
2
WNW
10
1.7
WNW
8
1.5
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
11
1.8
WSW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2081
4957
4462
3296
2482
2104
1614
1475
1644
1059
744
560
528
773
778
422
559
643
624
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
20
SW
20
SW
15
WSW
15
WSW
25
WSW
15
WSW
15
WSW
15
WSW
10
WNW
10
NW
10
NW
10
NE
20
NE
25
NNE
20
NW
15
W
20
W
20
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
7:31AM2.25m
8:00PM2.43m
8:23AM2.39m
8:43PM2.59m
9:06AM2.54m
9:21PM2.75m
9:43AM2.69m
9:57PM2.89m
10:18AM2.81m
10:30PM3.00m
10:52AM2.91m
11:04PM3.07m
Low Tide
1:29AM0.97m
1:49PM0.84m
2:19AM0.80m
2:37PM0.67m
2:59AM0.62m
3:16PM0.49m
3:35AM0.45m
3:51PM0.34m
4:10AM0.30m
4:25PM0.21m
4:44AM0.19m
4:58PM0.14m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:47
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:53
5:54
5:55
 mm
1
6
1
1
4
Temp °C
13
13
13
12
14
14
13
13
13
14
14
14
13
15
16
14
14
14
12
Feels °C
7
9
9
9
10
10
9
10
11
13
12
13
11
10
11
9
10
11
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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