Surf Forecasts:
Te Araroa surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, ENE swell with 1,363 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Te Araroa this week:
The surf forecast for Te Araroa over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Te Araroa in the next 16 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 11s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Te Araroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for Te Araroa over the next couple of weeks.
Right now, it is not looking good at all. There is a big gap of quiet, poor surf from the start of the period, lasting several days with absolutely nothing to get excited about. The winds are messy and the swell is weak or too short-period through the first half of the period.
The first real chance of a wave comes on Saturday the 15th. The wind shifts around to a cross-off, with periods of lighter winds, and the swell pushes into the 7 ft to 8 ft range from the east, but with period still a bit short at 8 seconds. It will be clean by the afternoon, and combined swell energy is moderate at 766. It’s a start, but nothing special.
The standout window actually lands on Thursday the 28th of August. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. We’re looking at a strong, glassy morning with a 10 ft groundswell from the northwest with a period of 8 seconds, blasting in with a combined energy reading of 1221 – that is proper. This is for experienced surfers only, as the size is over 8 ft. The wind is glassy, making for perfect clean conditions. The afternoon swell pushes even bigger to 12 ft (energy jumps to 1927), but it swings more cross-on, so the morning window is the one to hit.
Outside of that, there is a small state of clean, waist-high swell (4 ft from the southeast) on Thursday the 20th with light cross-off winds, but it’s nothing memorable. A similar small, glassy 4 ft southeast swell shows up on Friday the 21st morning, but the quality is just ordinary.
There’s another shot on the 27th of August, with some 5 ft swell from the north-northwest but the period is a very short 5 seconds so it will be pretty weak and sloppy.
Honestly, for a spot like Te Araroa that can offer good, consistent waves, this is a long dry spell. The water temperature is around 59°F which is about average for the time of year. But don't lose hope – the long-range glassy 10 ft morning on the 28th is the standout, and it looks like the kind of day that could make the wait worthwhile. The crowds are never an issue there, so you’ll have it to yourself.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 67mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Sun afternoon, light winds from the SW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 10 | SSE 11 | N 11 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 197 | 234 | 415 | 478 | 931 | 1238 | 521 | 755 | 357 | 566 | 318 | 135 | 75 | 122 | 46 | 18 | 7 | 592 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:05PM2.30m | 7:24AM2.10m | 7:53PM2.28m | 8:15AM2.12m | 8:41PM2.22m | 9:04AM2.11m | 9:29PM2.15m | 9:52AM2.08m | 10:17PM2.09m | 10:40AM2.03m | 11:03PM2.04m | 11:28AM1.97m | 11:46PM1.99m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:44PM0.36m | 1:27AM0.45m | 1:38PM0.35m | 2:19AM0.39m | 2:31PM0.36m | 3:08AM0.36m | 3:21PM0.38m | 3:54AM0.35m | 4:09PM0.42m | 4:40AM0.38m | 4:54PM0.47m | 5:24AM0.43m | 5:39PM0.55m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | |  | |  | | | |  | |  | | |  | | |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — |
 | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — |
mm | 1 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | W 5 | SSE 15 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 123 | 83 | 57 | 36 | 20 | 1003 | 521 | 755 | 357 | 566 | 318 | 135 | 75 | 559 | 725 | 857 | 1176 | 592 | 13 | 196 | 684 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 10 | NE 10 | E 15 | NE 11 | ESE 14 | NW 10 | E 13 | ESE 9 | ENE 8 | NW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | N 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | W 4 | W 4 | SSE 15 | W 4 | SSE 16 |
| kJ | 11 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 248 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 122 | 46 | 18 | 3 | 10 | 87 | 3 | 137 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | NW 11 | ESE 14 | — | NW 7 | N 13 | NW 9 | NW 7 | — | N 6 | S 20 | — | N 10 | W 5 | N 10 | E 10 | — | — | N 11 | — |
| kJ | 17 | 17 | 5 | 21 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | — | 1 | 8 | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | 7 | — | — | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SE 9 | — | S 5 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | S 10 | S 10 | W 5 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 12 |
| kJ | 197 | 234 | 415 | 478 | 931 | 1238 | 93 | — | 54 | 163 | 332 | 730 | 834 | 1975 | 2057 | 8 | 2932 | 1250 | 1365 | 1040 | 2845 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 79 | 79 | 122 | 73 | 35 | 79 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 35 | 39 | 39 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Te Araroa Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Te Araroa provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Te Araroa can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Te Araroa 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 (Te Araroa) 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 Te Araroa 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 East Cape? If you are looking for accommodation near Te Araroa, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in East Cape, consider staying in Gisborne which is 119 km (74 miles) away.
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