Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Manu Bay surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, WSW swell with 3,705 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. 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 2.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) 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+) | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Manu Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Raglan.
The next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag, but when we get the right conditions, this place can be world-class. The first surfing recommendation is for Monday, 24th August. The ocean is already pumping with a solid 11.5 ft swell from the WSW, but the 15-second period is a dream. The wind is coming from the southwest at 12 mph, creating a cross-shore breeze. The water is sitting at 57.2°, which is pretty much spot-on for this time of year. The day will bring a large amount of wave energy (4957), so expect some power. It’s not picture-perfect, though, as the cross-shore is creating a bit of a cross-chop. This is a big swell, over 8 ft, so this is for the experts only. The high tide might make for some tricky sections.
Tuesday, 25th August, the swell drops to 7.9 ft on the morning, still with a 15-second period from the WSW, but the wind is a cross-shore from the WSW at 9 mph. The afternoon turns into a cross-on wind from the west at 12 mph, making it choppy and poor. Not a day to hang your hat on.
Wednesday, 26th August, the swell is 6.6 ft, with a 14-second period. The wind is a cross-on from the WSW at 9 mph in the morning, then a lighter cross-on from the WNW at 6 mph in the afternoon. It’s still a bit rough. The wave energy is moderate (1592).
Thursday, 27th August, the swell drops to 5.2 ft with a 13-second period. The wind is offshore from the NNW at 6 mph in the morning, which is a good sign, but the scores aren’t rating it. The afternoon is also offshore from the NW at 6 mph. The wave energy is weak (841).
Friday, 28th August, the swell is 5.6 ft, but the period drops to 10 seconds in the morning and 8 seconds in the afternoon. The wind is a cross-shore from the NNE at 12 mph in the morning, then onshore from the NNW at 9 mph in the afternoon. This is a poor, short-period swell, and the energy is low (717). Skip it.
Saturday, 29th August, the swell plummets to 3.0 ft in the morning with a 13-second period, but the wind is a light cross-shore from the SW at 3 mph. The energy is very weak (576). The afternoon gets a bit more size at 4.6 ft, but the wind goes cross-on from the WSW at 9 mph, making it poor. A slow day.
Sunday, 30th August, the size jumps back up to 7.2 ft in the morning, with a long 18-second period from the WSW. The wind is a cross-shore from the WSW at 19 mph, so it’s going to be lumpy. The wave energy is strong (3102). The afternoon drops to 8.2 ft, but the period is a short 9 seconds, and the wind is cross-on and lumpy. Not clean.
Monday, 31st August, the swell is 9.8 ft with a 14-second period from the WSW. The wind is a cross-shore from the WSW at 19 mph, creating a fresh cross-chop. The wave energy is strong (2951). Again, this is expert-only territory due to the size, and the wind isn’t helping.
Tuesday, 1st September, we see a big 11.5 ft swell from the WSW with a 15-second period in the morning. The wind is a cross-shore from the WSW at 16 mph. The afternoon drops to 9.8 ft, but the wind goes cross-on from the WSW at 16 mph, turning it choppy. The wave energy is very strong (6019).
Wednesday, 2nd September, the swell is 8.2 ft with
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), 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 SW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 8 | WSW 18 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4957 | 4462 | 3296 | 2482 | 2104 | 1484 | 1592 | 1592 | 1139 | 841 | 732 | 608 | 596 | 404 | 464 | 289 | 439 | 283 | 3102 | 1076 | 1220 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 11:25AM2.96m | 11:37PM3.09m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:18AM0.12m | 5:32PM0.12m | ||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | W 19 | — | — | WSW 16 |
4957 | 4462 | 3296 | 2482 | 2104 | 1484 | 1592 | 1592 | 1139 | 841 | 732 | 608 | 596 | 404 | 464 | 251 | 84 | 190 | — | — | 427 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | W 21 | WSW 12 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 92 | 86 | 121 | 229 | 195 | 289 | 76 | 57 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 | W 22 | W 22 | — | NW 7 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 10 | 36 | — | 17 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 11 | WSW 8 | WSW 18 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 439 | 283 | 3102 | 1076 | 1220 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 204 | 247 | 247 | 249 | 249 | 228 | 228 | 249 | 228 | 219 | 228 | 0 | 222 | 222 | 110 | 56 | 108 | 108 | 110 | 115 | 179 |
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.











