
Surf Forecasts:
Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, SW swell with 13,175 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks this week:
The surf forecast for Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.0m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks in the next 16 days are 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s cooking.
We’ve got one spot on the menu for the next couple of weeks, and it’s a big one. Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks is a reef setup, and it’s holding a serious amount of energy. This is not a beginner wave, so leave the soft-tops at home. We’re looking at a proper run of groundswell, all coming from the southwest, which is exactly what this place loves.
The water temp is sitting at 59°, right on the money for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.
The surf kicks off this Saturday, September 12th, with a solid 16ft southwest groundswell packing a huge 16-second period. The combined energy is massive, over the 12,000 mark (12055), so you’re looking at serious, heavy power. Saturday morning has a cross-off wind which keeps it rideable, but the real standout is Saturday afternoon when the wind swings offshore. That’s exceptional conditions for the crew who can handle it. Sunday the 13th keeps the same size and 17-second period, with cross-off winds all day. The energy stays above 12,000. That’s a heavy, long-period groundswell, so at a reef setup like this, the sets will be fat, powerful, and lined up. It’s an advanced-only zone.
Monday the 14th backs off a touch to 12ft, but the period stays long at 15 to 16 seconds. The combined energy drops to 6657. But here’s the kicker: the wind goes offshore and gentle. This is excellent, clean surf for experienced surfers, and it might be a little more manageable than the weekend.
Tuesday the 15th sees the swell drop to 8ft, with light breezes and clean conditions. The energy is down to 2944, so it’s still a fun, punchy wave. Good for the strong intermediates if they’re feeling brave.
We hit a bit of a lull mid-week. Wednesday the 16th drops to 5ft and gets glassy in the morning, which is about the smallest it gets. By Thursday and Friday, the wind turns nasty onshore, and the quality drops off. Thursday the 17th sees onshore winds and messy waves, and Friday the 18th has a risk of thunderstorms with choppy, cross-onshore junk. Not worth a paddle.
Saturday the 19th brings a fresh blast of 10ft swell, but it comes with 25 mph cross-off winds Saturday morning. It’s clean, but that wind is howling. It’s more of a windsurf session for the brave. Sunday the 20th cleans up properly with offshore S winds again and an 12ft swell. The energy jumps back to 6136, and the wind is a fresh offshore, making for some excellent, powerful waves for experienced riders.
The next week looks promising but with a smaller, choppier period mid-week. Monday the 21st stays around 10ft with fresh offshore winds. By Tuesday the 22nd we’re back to smaller, cleaner but less energetic surf. Wednesday the 23rd is messy with a cross-shore wind and a short 9-second period, but it cleans up in the afternoon with an offshore wind and a jump in size to 15ft.
Now, circling back for the real standout of the whole run: Thursday, September 24th. That morning you’ve got a 16ft southwest groundswell with a 17-second period. The combined energy is off the charts at 12806. And the wind? Offshore and moderate. The description calls it exceptional conditions for expert surfers. That is the day. Mark it. The afternoon stays excellent at 13ft, also clean.
Friday the 25th has some rain showers but light winds and a consistent 12ft swell, and Saturday the 26th sees a glassy start. The run fades out into Sunday the 27th with onshore winds turning it messy again.
Don’t even bother with the last day, it’s blown out.
Best on offer: The first weekend (Sep 12-13) is a big, raw groundswell for experts. But the true standout is Thursday, September 24th. That’s the day for the chargers.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sat afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
12055 | 11645 | 12874 | 13086 | 12342 | 9021 | 6657 | 5316 | 3830 | 2944 | 2562 | 1688 | 975 | 673 | 591 | 2270 | 2590 | 1903 | 5372 | 5081 | 5937 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:05AM3.62m | 10:22PM3.72m | 10:42AM3.61m | 10:58PM3.62m | 11:17AM3.53m | 11:32PM3.48m | 11:51AM3.41m | 00:06AM3.29m | 12:26PM3.25m | 00:42AM3.09m | 1:05PM3.06m | 1:26AM2.88m | 1:53PM2.87m | 2:25AM2.69m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:14PM0.22m | 4:36AM0.20m | 4:52PM0.29m | 5:13AM0.28m | 5:28PM0.44m | 5:49AM0.42m | 6:05PM0.63m | 6:25AM0.61m | 6:44PM0.85m | 7:02AM0.82m | 7:28PM1.06m | 7:45AM1.04m | 8:20PM1.25m | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 4 | 15 | 3 |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
— | 11645 | 12874 | 13086 | 12342 | 9021 | 6657 | 5316 | 3830 | 2944 | 2562 | 1688 | 975 | 673 | 591 | 2270 | 2590 | 1903 | 5372 | 5081 | 5937 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 20 | WSW 18 | SW 18 | — | — | NW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 32 | 50 | — | — | 16 | 22 | 15 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | N 2 | — | — | S 3 | — | — | — |
12055 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 51 | 0 | 56 | 56 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 81 | 110 | 81 | 59 | 8 | 231 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks 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 (Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks) 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 Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Northland? If you are looking for accommodation near Shipwrecks Bay-Peaks, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Northland, consider staying in Houhora which is 44 km (27 miles) away.










