Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with 5,752 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s 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 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 14s 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 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) 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+) | 3AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here.
Looks like Manu Bay (Raglan) is the only spot worth talking about for the next couple of weeks, but it’s not exactly pumping from the start. We’ve got a bit of a wait before the real quality shows up. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing too wild there.
Saturday the 22nd kicks off small and messy – 3ft swell from the WSW with a moderate cross-onshore breeze, so you’re better off sitting this one out. Sunday the 23rd picks up to 8ft but it’s onshore, choppy, and the period is short at 8 seconds – not worth the paddle. The real action starts Monday the 24th with a solid 12ft groundswell from the WSW, period around 15 seconds, and moderate cross-shore winds. The energy is massive (5752), but it’s still a bit lumpy and only for the experienced crew – that’s a lot of water moving around. Tuesday the 25th is similar size but cross-onshore, so it’s messy again.
There’s a real standout on Thursday the 27th morning – glassy conditions, 6ft swell from the WSW with a 13-second period, and the energy is moderate (998). It’s clean, lined up, and that’s your best bet of the first week. The point will be peeling nicely, but watch for crowds because it does get busy at times. Friday the 28th morning is also glassy but smaller at 3ft.
After a few days of average conditions, Sunday the 30th morning brings a proper pulse – 10ft from the WNW with a very long 17-second period, light cross-onshore winds, and energy through the roof (5996). That’s a big, deep groundswell – perfect for the point, but it’s going to be pumping and only for the experienced. The long period might make it a bit too lined up for some, but Manu Bay handles it well.
Then we’ve got a big week coming up. Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September both hold 10ft to 12ft swells from the WSW, but with cross-shore winds and moderate chop. Not the cleanest, but still plenty of power. Wednesday the 2nd of September gets messy with 12ft to 13ft onshore – that’s a kite-surfing day if you’re into that.
The real gem in the second week is Friday the 4th of September morning – glassy, 5ft swell from the WSW with a 14-second period, and the energy is still solid (1404). That’s clean, offshore breeze, and the point will be a dream. The crowds will be there, but it’s worth it. Saturday the 5th of September morning is also decent with 7ft and light winds, but it’s a bit more onshore.
The standout of the whole outlook is Thursday the 27th August morning – glassy, clean, moderate swell, and that’s the one to circle. The second-best is Friday the 4th of September morning – also glassy and clean, but a bit further out so keep an eye on the forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Fri night, fresh winds from the NW by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | WSW 14 | W 6 | WNW 8 | W 10 | W 11 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
472 | 229 | 147 | 135 | 824 | 2025 | 2062 | 5752 | 4800 | 3360 | 2684 | 2351 | 1614 | 1969 | 2025 | 1413 | 998 | 781 | 469 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:05AM2.13m | 5:56PM2.19m | 6:26AM2.15m | 7:08PM2.28m | 7:31AM2.25m | 8:00PM2.43m | 8:23AM2.39m | 8:43PM2.59m | 9:06AM2.54m | 9:21PM2.75m | 9:43AM2.69m | 9:57PM2.89m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:49PM1.07m | 11:19AM1.01m | 00:17AM1.08m | 12:46PM0.98m | 1:29AM0.97m | 1:49PM0.84m | 2:19AM0.80m | 2:37PM0.67m | 2:59AM0.62m | 3:16PM0.49m | 3:35AM0.45m | 3:51PM0.34m | |||||||
— | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 16 | W 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
472 | 229 | 147 | 135 | 135 | 2025 | 648 | 5752 | 4800 | 3360 | 2684 | 2351 | 1614 | 1969 | 2025 | 1413 | 998 | 781 | 469 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 18 | WSW 13 | W 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 |
— | — | — | 64 | 56 | 205 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 131 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 5 | W 5 | W 6 | WNW 8 | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 26 | 47 | 114 | 824 | — | 2062 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 185 | 224 | 249 | 228 | 249 | 247 | 191 | 238 | 252 | 247 | 249 | 249 | 249 | 140 | 295 | 56 | 0 | 108 | 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.











