Surf Forecasts:
Te Araroa surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 7s period, NW swell with 843 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Te Araroa this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Te Araroa in the next 16 days are 3.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Te Araroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I won’t sugar-coat it – the next 16 days at Te Araroa are a real mixed bag, and honestly, a bit of a struggle. There are a few windows where it might be worth a look, but you’ve got to pick your moment.
Right now, the water’s sitting at a fairly average 59°F, nothing unusual for this time of year. We’re coming off a run of poor conditions. The first real chance you’ve got is much later in the period. The waves are small and the wind is a problem for most of it.
For a couple of days in the middle of the first week, we see a pulse of bigger, stronger swell, but it’s all wind-slop with short periods of 6-7 seconds. On Sunday the 23rd, the swell’s around 6-8ft from the WNW, with moderate wave energy (285-546). But with a fresh 30-35 km/h cross-shore wind on the beach and point setup, it’s going to be lumpy, choppy, and pretty ugly. That pattern continues into the start of the following week. This is more of a kitesurfing show than a paddle session.
The real standout – and it’s the only one I’d get excited about – comes a fair way out. On Monday the 31st of August, the wind swings offshore from the south, and although the swell is small at just 1-2ft from the NE with a 11-second period, the water goes clean. The combined energy is low (46-60), but an offshore breeze on an exposed beach-and-point setup will make for some tidy, peelable waves. It’s surfable and ordinary, but that offshore wind is a major positive. Early afternoon on the 31st is the pick, with a clean, gentle offshore wind and small but rideable waves.
Later on, Friday the 4th of September, we get another small window. The morning shows a 4ft NW swell with moderate energy (173) and a light cross-offshore wind. Then by the afternoon, it drops to 2ft from the NE but goes glassy, with calm winds and a hint of energy (101). Both sessions are surfable but ordinary. A glassy afternoon on the beach could be worth it for a longboard or a soft-top if you’re just keen for a paddle.
Overall, it’s a tough call. There’s no single “all-time” day. The best bet is that offshore morning on August 31st for clean, small waves, or the glassy period on September 4th. The rest is mostly messy or flat. It’s a game of patience, but forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NW 4 | SE 10 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 41 | 21 | 16 | 244 | 505 | 229 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 44 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 23 | 14 | 4 | 20 | 38 | 154 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:00PM1.85m | 2:02AM1.81m | 2:56PM1.84m | 2:58AM1.78m | 3:55PM1.84m | 3:55AM1.79m | 4:50PM1.86m | 4:49AM1.83m | 5:37PM1.90m | 5:37AM1.87m | 6:18PM1.95m | 6:23AM1.91m | 6:56PM1.99m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:17PM0.78m | 8:34AM0.71m | 9:14PM0.80m | 9:33AM0.72m | 10:06PM0.79m | 10:28AM0.70m | 10:56PM0.75m | 11:17AM0.64m | 11:43PM0.69m | 12:00PM0.56m | 00:29AM0.61m | 12:41PM0.49m | 1:14AM0.52m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | W 6 | SE 13 | WNW 5 | NW 4 | SSE 18 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 81 | 42 | 47 | 45 | 20 | 229 | 186 | 67 | 78 | 49 | 46 | 23 | 101 | 27 | 13 | 5 | 120 | 30 | 55 | 56 | 50 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 17 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | NE 9 | ESE 14 |
| kJ | 41 | 21 | 16 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 56 | 44 | 26 | 26 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 23 | 13 | 30 | 29 | 3 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 15 | E 14 | ESE 8 | NE 13 | NE 13 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | SE 13 | NE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 18 | S 7 | SE 10 | NE 9 | SSE 16 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 8 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 34 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 27 | 4 | 7 | 31 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | W 7 | — | — | NW 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | — | WNW 5 | — | NW 5 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 6 |
| kJ | 106 | 139 | 154 | 244 | 505 | 311 | — | — | 23 | 175 | 203 | 127 | — | 40 | — | 3 | 14 | 7 | 20 | 38 | 154 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 91 | 18 | 18 | 166 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 67 | 56 | 121 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 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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