Surf Forecasts:
Te Araroa surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, SE swell with 752 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Te Araroa in the next 16 days are 2.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 10s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Te Araroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty here. We’ve got a mixed bag ahead for the next couple of weeks around Te Araroa. The water’s sitting at 59°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real sniff of decent surf isn’t until Sunday the 16th of August. Sunday afternoon shapes up with a south-southwest offshore breeze and a 3ft easterly swell, period around 9 seconds, combined energy at 270 (moderate). It’s clean, consistent, and the break’s a beginner-friendly beach and point setup that’s exposed to the swell. The optimum direction is NE, so we’re a bit off that, but still expect good surf conditions. Crowds are never an issue here, which is a bonus.
Then we hit a dry spell. Monday the 17th through to Wednesday the 19th of August is all poor surf – no real swell to speak of, just small dribbles and strong winds. It’s a quiet few days, so don’t bother paddling out.
Things pick up properly on Thursday the 20th of August. The morning brings a 5ft south-easterly swell, period 9 seconds, combined energy at 391 (moderate-strong), with a gentle south-southwest offshore – clean and inviting. Thursday afternoon is the standout: the wind drops to glassy, a light north-easterly breeze, and the swell is still a solid 4ft from the SE, energy 245 (moderate). That’s the best session of the week, no doubt.
Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd of August drop off again – poor surf, small waves, cross-shore winds. Not worth it.
Sunday the 23rd through Thursday the 28th of August remains flat or poor, with only a brief blip on Monday the 24th of August afternoon where a 6ft north-westerly swell rolls in, but it’s only 6 seconds period and combined energy at 299 (moderate) – it’s marginal at best, with lumpy cross-shore wind. Not for the paddle crowd.
Friday the 29th and Saturday the 30th of August stay poor, but hold on – Sunday the 31st of August looks promising. Sunday morning brings a 4ft north-westerly swell, period 8 seconds, energy 217 (moderate), with light south-easterly cross-offshore winds and clean conditions. Then Sunday afternoon turns glassy again, with a 3ft south-easterly swell, period 9 seconds, energy 264 (moderate). That’s a nice little run to close out the outlook.
Overall, the standout is Thursday the 20th of August – afternoon glassy session with 4ft SE swell. The Sunday the 31st of August is also worth a look, but it’s further out so less certain.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Sun night, light winds from the SW by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | NW 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 10 | N 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 38 | 5 | 127 | 94 | 41 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 752 | 510 | 351 | 201 | 156 | 157 | 106 | 59 | 55 | 29 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:29PM2.15m | 9:52AM2.08m | 10:17PM2.09m | 10:40AM2.03m | 11:03PM2.04m | 11:28AM1.97m | 11:46PM1.99m | 12:17PM1.92m | 00:29AM1.93m | 1:07PM1.88m | 1:13AM1.87m | 2:00PM1.85m | 2:02AM1.81m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:54AM0.35m | 4:09PM0.42m | 4:40AM0.38m | 4:54PM0.47m | 5:24AM0.43m | 5:39PM0.55m | 6:08AM0.50m | 6:27PM0.64m | 6:53AM0.57m | 7:20PM0.72m | 7:40AM0.65m | 8:17PM0.78m | |||||||
 |  | |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | S 20 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | W 5 | W 5 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 38 | 8 | 127 | 674 | 480 | 578 | 1198 | 9 | 5 | 752 | 510 | 351 | 201 | 156 | 157 | 106 | 59 | 55 | 29 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | NW 11 | N 10 | E 10 | E 9 | W 5 | N 10 | — | — | SSE 16 | S 11 | — | — | S 18 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 1 | 5 | 2 | 94 | 41 | 7 | 2 | — | — | 27 | 338 | — | — | 6 | 34 | 24 | 22 | 27 | 24 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | — | — | N 10 | W 5 | ENE 10 | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | S 19 | — | SSE 18 | ESE 15 | ESE 13 | NE 14 | ESE 13 |
| kJ | 5 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 18 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 7 | — | 31 | 21 | 17 | 8 | 17 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | W 5 | W 3 | S 9 | W 4 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 9 | — | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | W 4 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 |
| kJ | 833 | 1575 | 1010 | 1 | 1 | 2138 | 6 | 1944 | 1412 | 1667 | 776 | 422 | — | 3 | 20 | 41 | 148 | 173 | 214 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 330 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 6 | 387 | 6 | 227 | 229 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 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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