Surf Forecasts:
Red Island surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, S swell with 6,718 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period with SSE 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 06) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 5.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Red Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk surf in feet and fahrenheit.
The water temp is about 55°F, which is just a touch under the average for the season – nothing to complain about.
The first few days are a bit of a battle with the wind. The first real standout comes on Friday, August 7th. We’ve got a long period groundswell from the south, 18 seconds between waves, pushing about 4ft. The wind is light offshore from the WNW, so the waves will be clean and lined up. That super long period means it’ll be better at the reef side of Red Island, as the beach might get a bit straight. The combined energy is moderate, at 1544. Later that afternoon, the swell bumps up to 6ft from the south, still a very long 16 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NE. The water will be glassy. This is the best session on offer, no doubt.
Saturday the 8th also looks promising. Morning brings a 5ft south swell at 12 seconds with a light offshore from the NW, keeping things clean. The afternoon turns glassy with a 5ft SSE swell and a slight air from the west. Energy is lower at 559, so it’s a smaller, mellower day, perfect for a log.
After that, we hit a dry spell from Sunday the 9th through to Saturday the 15th of August. The wind swings onshore and kicks up a lot of chop, especially on the 11th, 12th, and 13th, with the wind howling from the E and ENE at 19-31 mph. The swell is small and the water is a mess. Not a good time. A couple of days around the 14th show some clean wind, but the swell is weak and short period.
The real excitement comes back on Monday, August 17th. The southern hemisphere delivers a solid pulse. Monday morning sees a 10ft swell from the south at 10 seconds, with a light offshore from the NW, making for excellent, powerful surf. The combined energy is strong at 2066. This is too big for beginners, but for the experienced surfer, it’s going to be a day to remember. The afternoon stays solid at 12ft from the south, 11 seconds, with a light cross-offshore. The energy is ramped up to 2607. If you’re on the reef, you’ll be in for a treat.
Tuesday the 18th keeps the fun going with an 8ft south swell and a clean offshore wind in the morning (energy 2208), and then 7ft from the SSE in the afternoon. The second week of August is looking like a pretty good run, but it’s a long-range call, so things can shift.
The best bet is Friday morning the 7th and Monday the 17th for the bigger, cleaner stuff. Red Island can get a crowd sometimes, so get in early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 3°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, strong winds from the S by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 9 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 18 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 15 | SSW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 408 | 272 | 362 | 971 | 4374 | 4297 | 6718 | 4529 | 2998 | 1211 | 653 | 452 | 881 | 1609 | 1465 | 761 | 550 | 356 | 208 | 296 | 208 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:04PM1.43m | 9:28AM1.36m | 9:49PM1.43m | 10:15AM1.39m | 10:37PM1.43m | 11:05AM1.43m | 11:27PM1.43m | 11:57AM1.46m | 00:21AM1.44m | 12:53PM1.50m | 1:18AM1.45m | 1:51PM1.54m | 2:17AM1.46m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:56PM0.23m | 3:27AM0.21m | 3:42PM0.22m | 4:11AM0.20m | 4:30PM0.21m | 4:56AM0.18m | 5:21PM0.20m | 5:45AM0.17m | 6:15PM0.19m | 6:38AM0.15m | 7:11PM0.17m | 7:33AM0.13m | 8:09PM0.15m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 12 | 9 | 6 | -2 | -3 | -4 | -1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | S 13 | S 12 | S 14 | NE 12 | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 7 |
| kJ | 408 | 272 | 362 | 372 | 6 | — | 4034 | 2864 | 1686 | 588 | 653 | 452 | 521 | 1609 | 1465 | 761 | 550 | 356 | 208 | 170 | 83 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | SE 16 | SE 10 | S 10 | SE 12 | S 18 | SSE 10 | E 14 | E 14 | SE 12 | E 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 15 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 81 | 176 | 60 | 63 | — | — | — | — | 41 | 441 | 254 | 227 | 881 | 342 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 102 | 296 | 98 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 20 | SE 12 | NE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 15 | SE 15 | S 10 | SE 13 | SE 12 | NE 14 | — | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 18 | NE 6 | S 13 |
| kJ | 19 | 32 | 23 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | 34 | 127 | 142 | 137 | 8 | — | 3 | 3 | 62 | 1 | 171 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 2 | WSW 3 | SW 4 | S 9 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | NNE 4 | WSW 4 | S 5 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 1 | 7 | 22 | 971 | 4374 | 4297 | 6718 | 4529 | 2998 | 1211 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 6 | 10 | 19 | 208 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 9 | 9 | 56 | 255 | 257 | 162 | 257 | 28 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 3 |
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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