Red Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.85° S 176.99° E

Red Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Red Island sea temperature is
12.1° C
1.4° 

Red Island surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Red Island surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 5,609 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period with S swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Red Island this week:

The surf forecast for Red Island over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Red Island in the next 16 days are 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Thu 20th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 8s
Best Surf 9AM (Thu 20th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 8s
Most Powerful 3PM (Wed 19th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Island over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri night, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun morning).

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
0
2
3
1
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
S
8
3
S
10
4.5
S
11
4.5
S
11
3.5
SSW
15
3
SSW
14
2.1
S
8
2.1
S
8
1.4
S
8
1.2
S
13
1.1
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.7
S
11
0.5
S
10
0.4
S
10
0.5
S
9
1
S
13
0.5
S
14
0.6
S
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
488
1936
4981
5436
5609
3068
616
597
266
463
395
353
206
152
110
48
33
42
324
106
128
Wind (km/h)
35
SW
40
SW
45
SSW
35
SSW
25
SSW
20
SW
15
WSW
20
S
0
WNW
10
NW
15
NE
10
W
10
NW
10
WNW
15
NNW
25
WNW
20
W
25
W
15
WNW
10
WNW
10
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
off
cross
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
High Tide
9:43AM1.47m
10:05PM1.47m
10:32AM1.44m
10:54PM1.41m
11:21AM1.41m
11:42PM1.35m
12:09PM1.38m
00:30AM1.31m
12:56PM1.36m
1:18AM1.28m
1:44PM1.34m
2:05AM1.26m
2:32PM1.34m
2:52AM1.26m
Low Tide
3:58PM0.15m
4:23AM0.15m
4:48PM0.20m
5:10AM0.21m
5:37PM0.25m
5:56AM0.26m
6:25PM0.30m
6:42AM0.30m
7:12PM0.33m
7:28AM0.32m
8:00PM0.35m
8:14AM0.33m
8:48PM0.35m
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:54
6:54
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:40
 mm
4
5
Temp °C
10
8
8
9
9
10
12
11
10
13
13
11
15
16
15
17
17
13
16
17
13
Feels °C
0
0
-3
2
2
5
8
7
8
10
9
9
12
13
10
11
13
7
11
14
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 Red Island Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Red Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Red Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Red Island 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 (Red Island) 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 Red Island 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.

Red Island is 27 km (17 miles) from the city of Hastings. If you plan a holiday in Hawkes Bay, look for hotels and other accommodation in Hastings. Hastings has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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