Surf Forecasts:
Red Island surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 4,708 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Red Island in the next 16 days are 4.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break this down in feet and degrees. Rusty here, and we’re looking at the only break on the table for the full sixteen days: Red Island.
Honestly, it’s a rough stretch. Red Island is an inconsistent beach and reef setup, and there’s a big gap of flat or junk surf to start.
First few days are weak. Sunday the 30th has tiny 2ft S swell with a light cross-off breeze, but the energy is low (110). Just barely surfable. Sunday afternoon drops to 1ft—forget it. Monday the 31st sees a little more size (2ft) but a fresh 30 km/h cross-off wind messes it up. Water temp is 54°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—about 2° off average.
Tuesday the 1st of September jumps up to 12ft from the SSW, with strong energy (5008). That’s expert-only territory, and the wind is cross-shore with a chop. Not clean. Wednesday the 2nd is the real standout. Morning brings a solid 7ft S swell (14-second period) with a gentle offshore WNW breeze at 15 km/h. Energy is still strong (2177). The call is excellent surf for experienced surfers. Clean, offshore, decent size. Afternoon holds with 7ft and light breeze. If you’ve got the skills, Wednesday morning is your best bet.
After that, it fades fast. Thursday the 3rd drops to 4ft, and by the weekend we’re back to knee-high slop with energy in the 30s and 40s. Another pulse hits Sunday the 13th of September—10ft S swell with light cross-off wind in the morning and energy at 1838. That’s another expert-only day, but the wind is clean. The afternoon turns onshore and ugly. Monday the 14th has 8ft but onshore wind again. Not great.
So the only true standout is Wednesday the 2nd of September, morning at Red Island. Clean, offshore, solid 7ft S swell with good period. After that, it’s a long wait until the 13th, but that one’s a gamble with the wind.
Hang in there—this is a quiet run for the area, but that Wednesday morning is worth the wait.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon night, calm by Tue afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | SSE 10 | NE 8 | S 17 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 14 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 75 | 33 | 35 | 270 | 724 | 3818 | 3389 | 2130 | 2074 | 1433 | 2748 | 1147 | 473 | 232 | 152 | 141 | 71 | 48 | 40 | 26 | 56 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:08PM1.45m | 7:31AM1.39m | 7:53PM1.46m | 8:17AM1.43m | 8:39PM1.47m | 9:05AM1.46m | 9:27PM1.47m | 9:54AM1.49m | 10:18PM1.46m | 10:46AM1.51m | 11:11PM1.46m | 11:40AM1.53m | 00:06AM1.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:57PM0.20m | 1:28AM0.19m | 1:44PM0.18m | 2:13AM0.17m | 2:32PM0.17m | 2:58AM0.16m | 3:22PM0.16m | 3:46AM0.15m | 4:13PM0.16m | 4:35AM0.14m | 5:06PM0.16m | 5:27AM0.14m | 6:01PM0.15m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 10 | NE 8 | SSW 9 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 13 | S 14 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 75 | 33 | 35 | 121 | 724 | 1909 | 1607 | 2130 | 2074 | 1433 | 2748 | 1147 | 473 | 232 | 152 | 141 | 71 | 48 | 40 | 26 | 56 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | NE 6 | SSW 6 | S 17 | NE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 11 | NE 10 | ENE 10 | S 18 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 10 | NE 10 | S 8 |
| kJ | 29 | 9 | 14 | 270 | 28 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 10 | 735 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SSW 9 | SSW 13 | NE 9 | SE 11 | — | — | — | — | ENE 10 | — | — | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | S 15 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 6 | 17 | 34 | 39 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 3 | WSW 5 | NW 3 | WSW 4 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | — | — | NE 10 | NNE 9 | W 5 | N 5 | W 3 | N 5 | N 3 | WSW 4 | W 3 | NW 3 | W 3 | SW 6 |
| kJ | — | 6 | 39 | 2 | 14 | 3818 | 3389 | — | — | 23 | 33 | 26 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 9 | 63 | 9 | 9 | 150 | 162 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 59 | 9 | 9 | 1 |
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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