Surf Forecasts:
Te Araroa surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, ESE swell with 1,190 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period with SE 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 (Jul 18) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 14s period. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Te Araroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the cards for Te Araroa over the next couple of weeks.
The first real action hits on Friday, July 17th. A solid 6ft easterly swell rolls in with a 15-second period – that’s proper groundswell, long and packing a punch. The combined energy is 1423, which is strong. The wind is glassy from the NNW at 3 mph, and the water is 61°, a bit warmer than usual for this time of year. This is for experienced surfers only – that 6ft on a beach and point setup with that much energy ain’t for beginners. The swell direction (ESE) is a fair match for the optimum NE, so it’ll wrap in nicely. Expect clean, powerful waves.
Saturday the 18th drops off. The morning has a 5ft ESE swell, but a 12 mph cross-shore wind chops it up, and the energy is down to 986. The afternoon is cleaner with a cross-off wind, but it’s nothing special. Sunday the 19th is a better bet for the less experienced – 4ft dropping to 4ft, clean cross-off wind, and energy in the 400-500 range. The swell period is 13 seconds, so it’s still decent long-period groundswell, but the size is manageable. The SE direction is a good match, so it’ll be fun.
From Monday the 20th through the end of the month, the surf fades hard. Swell drops below 3ft, energy dips under 300, and the wind is mostly cross-off or onshore, with some glassy moments but no real push. The second half of July and into early August is a long dry spell – nearly two weeks with nothing worth paddling out for. The water is still warm, but you’re looking at tiny, weak waves.
There’s a little flicker on Monday, July 27th, with 3ft to 4ft SE swell, a 13-second period, and clean cross-off wind. Energy is around 337, so it’s modest. It’s a “good” condition, but it’s a far cry from that opening day. The 28th and 29th show some size (5ft and 4ft) but with short period (9 seconds) and messy cross-shore wind, so it’s blown out. The 30th and 31st get uglier with strong onshore winds and rain – that’s kite-surfing weather, not paddle-surfing.
The best call is clear: Friday, July 17th is the standout. Get out there early, experienced crew only. The water is a touch warmer than average, and the glassy conditions will make the most of that long-period groundswell. After that, it’s a long wait until the 27th for a small, clean window, but it’s not in the same league.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1423 | 1190 | 947 | 811 | 607 | 509 | 424 | 255 | 205 | 177 | 130 | 126 | 82 | 58 | 43 | 27 | 27 | 34 | 12 | 12 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:06PM2.36m | 9:25AM2.17m | 9:57PM2.28m | 10:17AM2.12m | 10:47PM2.19m | 11:09AM2.06m | 11:36PM2.11m | 12:02PM2.00m | 00:24AM2.05m | 12:54PM1.94m | 1:10AM1.99m | 1:46PM1.90m | 1:56AM1.93m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:31AM0.45m | 3:42PM0.39m | 4:22AM0.43m | 4:33PM0.45m | 5:11AM0.43m | 5:23PM0.51m | 5:59AM0.46m | 6:12PM0.57m | 6:47AM0.51m | 7:03PM0.64m | 7:35AM0.57m | 7:58PM0.71m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 |
Feels °C | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 16 | SSE 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | WNW 5 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 1423 | 1190 | 947 | 811 | 607 | 509 | 424 | 255 | 205 | 177 | 130 | 126 | 251 | 45 | 109 | 81 | 70 | 8 | 59 | 56 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 23 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | SSE 20 | SSE 20 | SSE 19 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | WNW 4 | SSE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 13 | 68 | 36 | 24 | 401 | 112 | 43 | 9 | 2 | 78 | 353 | 210 | 82 | 58 | 43 | 27 | 7 | 43 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | S 26 | SSE 7 | SSE 23 | SSE 21 | SSE 16 | SSE 20 | NW 4 | N 10 | N 10 | SSE 19 | SSE 14 | N 9 | N 10 | SE 10 | SE 12 | — | N 10 |
| kJ | 7 | 9 | — | 13 | 18 | 293 | 180 | 26 | 38 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 72 | 36 | 2 | 2 | 27 | 34 | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | W 6 | — | — | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | — | — | WNW 4 | W 5 |
| kJ | — | — | 39 | 128 | 91 | — | — | 6 | 25 | 72 | 72 | 37 | — | — | 3 | 22 | — | — | 20 | 47 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 166 | 56 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 91 | 18 |
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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