
Surf Forecasts:
Te Araroa surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, ESE swell with 1,441 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period with NW 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s is also forecast. 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 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Te Araroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s cooking at Te Araroa over the next couple of weeks. This is a beach and point setup that’s consistent and rarely crowded – never any crowds here – and it’s exposed, so it grabs whatever swell comes its way. The water’s running a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, about 62°F, which is a nice bonus.
The first few days are pretty grim. Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th are all poor – cross-onshore junk, rain showers, nothing worth paddling out for. Thursday the 16th stays marginal at best, with a weak little ESE swell and a messy cross-shore. But then things turn around.
Friday the 17th is the real standout. Clear skies, glassy conditions – I’m talking dead calm, offshore light – and a nice 6 ft groundswell from the ESE, with a long 16-second period. That’s proper energy heading into the break: combined swell energy sitting at 1441 (moderate-strong). The waves will be clean, well-shaped, and with that long period you’ll get plenty of time between sets to paddle back out. This is expert territory though – that size and power mean it’s not for beginners. If you’ve got the skills, this is your window.
Saturday the 18th drops off a bit – still some swell (5 ft SE, 15s) but a cross-shore breeze and a drop in energy (1045). Sunday the 19th sees a brief return of clean offshore wind in the morning with 4 ft SE, but the afternoon gets blown out. Monday and Tuesday the 20th–21st are marginal, small waist-high leftovers.
Then Wednesday the 22nd brings a fresh pulse – 6 ft from the ENE, short 7-second period, but the winds are clean and the energy jumps to 502. It’s not perfect but worth a look if you’re desperate.
Hold on tight – Thursday the 23rd through Saturday the 25th is a beast of a swell. We’re talking 13 ft to 21 ft from the NNE/NE, period around 11–12 seconds, and combined energy values shooting into the thousands (4104, 6029, even 11367). That’s massive. But it’s cross-onshore and lumpy, and the size makes it way too big for this break – unless you’re after a kite session. Honestly, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during those days. Sunday the 26th stays big (12 ft) but cross-shore and messy.
By Monday the 27th the swell drops back to 7 ft ENE, still a bit cross-onshore, but Tuesday the 28th delivers another solid window: 8 ft from the NW, 7–8 second period, clean cross-offshore winds, and combined energy over 1000. That’s excellent for experienced surfers – powerful, clean, and consistent. Again, that size (8 ft) is expert-only.
After that, Wednesday the 29th fades to small and mediocre.
So, bottom line: Friday the 17th is your best bet – glassy, quality groundswell, and all to yourself. Tuesday the 28th is a close second if you can handle the size. The rest of the window is either blown out, too small, or dangerously big. Keep an eye on the forecasts, but this place can surprise you.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 18 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
76 | 210 | 172 | 86 | 74 | 56 | 167 | 480 | 1005 | 1441 | 1423 | 1350 | 1045 | 822 | 681 | 560 | 382 | 309 | 251 | 247 | 200 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:34PM2.33m | 6:46AM2.21m | 7:26PM2.39m | 7:41AM2.21m | 8:16PM2.40m | 8:34AM2.20m | 9:06PM2.36m | 9:25AM2.17m | 9:57PM2.28m | 10:17AM2.12m | 10:47PM2.19m | 11:09AM2.06m | 11:36PM2.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:12PM0.42m | 00:48AM0.58m | 1:06PM0.36m | 1:46AM0.54m | 1:58PM0.34m | 2:40AM0.49m | 2:50PM0.35m | 3:31AM0.45m | 3:42PM0.39m | 4:22AM0.43m | 4:33PM0.45m | 5:11AM0.43m | 5:23PM0.51m | ||||||||
7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
— | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | |
mm | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 15 | ESE 18 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 |
47 | 26 | 58 | 66 | 62 | 33 | 167 | 480 | 1005 | 1441 | 1423 | 1350 | 1045 | 822 | 681 | 560 | 382 | 309 | 251 | 247 | 200 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | ESE 10 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | ESE 13 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | SSE 11 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | SSE 20 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 |
5 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 56 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 72 | 34 | 121 | 54 | 50 | 31 | 40 | 15 | 4 | 40 | 36 | 36 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | NE 11 | — | S 8 | S 9 | NE 10 | S 8 | S 18 | NE 10 | S 7 | S 7 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | S 19 | SSE 23 | SSE 23 | SSE 21 | SSE 17 | S 16 | N 8 | N 8 |
5 | 5 | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 7 | 53 | 173 | 89 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | — | S 7 | — | — | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | — | SSE 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 |
76 | 210 | 172 | 86 | 74 | 44 | 20 | 42 | 49 | — | 37 | — | — | 21 | 48 | — | 18 | 57 | 206 | 143 | 112 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 116 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 56 | 0 | 9 | 18 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 56 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
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.










