Surf Forecasts:
Raglan-Whale Bay surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 7,621 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Raglan-Whale Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Raglan-Whale Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Raglan-Whale Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Raglan-Whale Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s talk about what’s lining up for Raglan-Whale Bay. This is a quality reef and point break that loves a good south-west groundswell, so we’re sitting pretty for some solid energy. Water temp’s around 58°F – nothing wild for this time of year, pretty average.
First up, there’s a wait. No surf worth paddlin’ for until Tuesday, September 15th.
Tuesday morning, September 15th – that’s the one that’s got my attention. The swell’s about 7 feet from the WSW with a long 14-second period, so proper groundswell with punch. But the real winner is the glassy wind – a whisper of 3 mph from the SSW, leaving the lineup dead flat and clean. Combined wave energy sits at a moderate 1556 – not huge, but clean and workable. This is advanced-only territory at that size, but that glassy window is the best you’ll see.
Later Tuesday the cross-shore picks up and adds chop, so don’t expect it to hold.
Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th are mostly cross-onshore and lumpy – not worth the effort.
Friday, September 18th is another chance. Morning: light rain, clean cross-off breeze from the ESE at 12 mph, with 8 feet of WSW groundswell at 16 seconds. That’s long-period goodness that’ll wrap nicely around the reef and point, though the very long period might make it a bit straight on the beach sections – here it’s a plus. Afternoon cleans up even more: light cross-off, 8 feet, same direction, moderate energy (2911). This is a solid option for experienced surfers, but the crowds are likely sometimes when it’s clean.
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th jump in size – around 12 feet – but the wind goes cross or cross-onshore, so it’s rough and lumpy. Not the pick.
Now Thursday, September 24th morning – that’s another standout, but it’s more than a week away. Expect 10 feet from the WSW at a very long 16-second period, with a light cross-off from the SSW at 9 mph, and combined energy blastin’ at 9363 – that’s strong. Clean, powerful, and for experts only. Promising, but far out.
After that, from September 25th onward it fades into onshores and rain – nothing worth chasing.
So, the best bets: Tuesday 15th morning for that glassy moment, and keep an eye on Thursday 24th September for a proper clean big swell session. Otherwise, it’s a lot of messy waiting.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | W 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 9031 | 7188 | 7621 | 6356 | 4451 | 3669 | 2906 | 2033 | 1556 | 1435 | 955 | 434 | 321 | 476 | 1277 | 1531 | 1474 | 2836 | 2911 | 2868 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 11:03PM3.11m | 11:23AM3.01m | 11:39PM3.02m | 11:58AM2.94m | 00:13AM2.89m | 12:32PM2.83m | 00:47AM2.73m | 1:07PM2.69m | 1:23AM2.55m | 1:46PM2.53m | 2:07AM2.37m | 2:34PM2.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:55PM0.04m | 5:17AM0.03m | 5:33PM0.11m | 5:54AM0.10m | 6:09PM0.23m | 6:30AM0.22m | 6:46PM0.40m | 7:06AM0.38m | 7:25PM0.59m | 7:43AM0.57m | 8:09PM0.78m | 8:26AM0.76m | 9:01PM0.95m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  |  |  | | |
 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 13 | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | W 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2844 | 4451 | 2948 | 2348 | 2033 | 1556 | 1435 | 955 | 434 | 321 | 476 | 1277 | 1531 | 1474 | 2836 | 2911 | 2868 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 7 | SW 6 | W 6 | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | NW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 46 | 39 | 15 | — | — | — | 540 | — | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | — | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 9031 | 7188 | 7621 | 6356 | — | 3669 | 2906 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 112 | 131 | 143 | 227 | 55 | 55 | 227 | 101 | 0 | 265 | 227 | 227 | 253 | 219 | 110 | 90 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 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-Whale Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Raglan-Whale 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-Whale Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Raglan-Whale 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-Whale 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-Whale 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-Whale Bay is 44 km (27 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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