Surf Forecasts:
Red Island surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 21s period, S swell with 1,729 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period with E 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 (Jul 16) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 1.4m 21s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 21s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks for Red Island.
We’ve got a slow start, but the real action kicks off Thursday the 17th. The standout is Friday morning, the 17th of July. Swell is 5ft from the ESE, wind is glassy out of the WNW, and the energy is solid (1331). That 16-second period means proper groundswell—best for the reef, but the beach will still have some punch. Water temp is about average for this time of year.
Saturday morning, the 18th, is also solid. Swell drops to 5ft from the ESE, period 14 seconds, wind is cross-off from the west at 6 mph. Clean, but a bit less power than Friday.
Sunday morning, the 19th, we get a shift to a 4ft S swell with a very long 18-second period. That’s a lot of energy (1514), and light cross-off wind. This is a serious groundswell—might be a bit straight for the beach, but the reef will love it.
Monday the 20th stays glassy but the swell drops to under 3ft. Tuesday the 21st gets messy with onshore wind and chop. From the 21st through the end of the month, it’s mostly small, weak, or blown out. There’s a long gap of poor surf until the 31st of July, when we might see a 4ft ESE swell with clean cross-off wind again. But that’s over a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it.
Crowds are possible at Red Island, and it’s an inconsistent spot, so don’t count on it breaking every day. Friday and Saturday mornings are your best bets—clean, decent size, good energy. For beginners, Friday morning’s 5ft might be a bit much, but Saturday morning’s 5ft is manageable if you’re comfortable.
Rusty signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wed 22 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | S 21 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 18 | S 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 86 | 225 | 394 | 993 | 1273 | 1209 | 1102 | 874 | 731 | 1729 | 1056 | 762 | 524 | 347 | 442 | 1373 | 1143 | 1296 | 1301 | 599 | 353 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy |
High Tide | 6:29AM1.56m | 7:00PM1.72m | 7:26AM1.56m | 7:55PM1.70m | 8:23AM1.54m | 8:50PM1.66m | 9:18AM1.51m | 9:43PM1.59m | 10:12AM1.47m | 10:35PM1.52m | 11:05AM1.44m | 11:27PM1.45m | 11:57AM1.40m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:26AM0.01m | 12:43PM-0.02m | 1:23AM-0.00m | 1:40PM-0.02m | 2:20AM-0.00m | 2:36PM0.01m | 3:14AM0.02m | 3:31PM0.05m | 4:06AM0.05m | 4:25PM0.11m | 4:57AM0.10m | 5:18PM0.17m | 5:46AM0.16m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — |
 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | S 21 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 18 | S 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 86 | 225 | 394 | 993 | 1273 | 1209 | 1102 | 874 | 731 | 1729 | 1056 | 762 | 524 | 347 | 442 | 1373 | 1143 | 1296 | 1301 | 599 | 353 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 8 | S 10 | S 14 | S 11 | S 23 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 5 | E 4 | SE 11 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 40 | 230 | 405 | 189 | 686 | 553 | 458 | 341 | 255 | 226 | 180 | 148 | 107 | 23 | 10 | 30 | 22 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | E 11 | E 10 | SW 9 | S 15 | S 18 | S 20 | S 19 | S 10 | — | — | — | S 20 | S 10 | S 18 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 |
| kJ | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 56 | 8 | 29 | 123 | — | — | — | 73 | 89 | 311 | 148 | 81 | 69 | 47 | 4 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 8 | WSW 3 | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | 2 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 94 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 80 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hawkes Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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