
Surf Forecasts:
Te Araroa surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, NW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, NW swell with 1,402 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 3.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Te Araroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what we’ve got coming down the line for Te Araroa.
Overall, it’s a bit of a frustrating outlook. We’re looking at a decent-sized pulse of swell rolling in, but the wind is going to be a real battle for most of the first week. After that, it drops off into a long, flat spell, so we have to pick our moments.
The best of the bunch looks to be Tuesday, August 18th. After a week of wrestling with cross-off and onshore winds, we finally get some proper glassy conditions. Tuesday morning has a clean 6ft swell from the SE with a period of 10 seconds, and a gentle offshore blowing. The wave energy is strong at (569), and that combo is going to deliver some very good, clean waves. Afternoon holds similar quality with 5ft from the same direction and still offshore (500 energy). This is a day to block out in the diary. If you’re a beginner, those 5-6ft waves will be a bit challenging, so be mindful, but it’s the best the forecast offers.
The week leading up to that is a mixed bag. We get a bigger, punchier swell from the NW coming in on Monday, August 10th, with the morning showing an 8ft groundswell (9-second period) and very strong energy (1155). The problem is the wind is messy - cross-shore in the morning and cross-off in the afternoon. It will be big, but not clean. That 8ft is definitely expert territory if it gets unruly. Water temperature is sitting at 59°, which is about normal for this time of year.
After that standout Tuesday on the 18th, the surf just fades away. From Wednesday the 19th onwards, we’re looking at a long, drawn-out lull. Swell heights drop to 0.7ft or less, and the combined energy barely registers. This flat spell runs all the way through to the end of the 16-day window on the 24th. There are a few days in there with a bit of very weak windswell, but with poor wind states and basically no energy, it’s not worth suiting up for.
So, to sum it up: grind through the early part of the week for some choppy, wind-affected surf if you’re keen, but pencil in Tuesday, August 18th as the real standout. After that, the boards are staying in the car for a long stretch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sun night, light winds from the SSW by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 61mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 11°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
195 | 866 | 1149 | 780 | 356 | 191 | 138 | 190 | 135 | 99 | 213 | 179 | 139 | 129 | 71 | 525 | 437 | 745 | 605 | 301 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:01PM2.01m | 3:21AM2.02m | 4:13PM2.08m | 4:27AM2.04m | 5:19PM2.18m | 5:30AM2.06m | 6:14PM2.27m | 6:28AM2.08m | 7:05PM2.30m | 7:24AM2.10m | 7:53PM2.28m | 8:15AM2.12m | 8:41PM2.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:25PM0.65m | 9:51AM0.50m | 10:30PM0.63m | 10:54AM0.45m | 11:32PM0.59m | 11:51AM0.39m | 00:32AM0.53m | 12:44PM0.36m | 1:27AM0.45m | 1:38PM0.35m | 2:19AM0.39m | 2:31PM0.36m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | 2 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 14 | 16 | 8 | 19 | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SSE 11 | NW 9 | SSE 10 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | NNW 6 | SE 8 | NNE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 |
117 | 76 | 1149 | 68 | 356 | 191 | 138 | 190 | 135 | 99 | 151 | 179 | 139 | 129 | 70 | 38 | 437 | 745 | 605 | 301 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | SE 14 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | NE 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 10 | NNE 11 | SE 10 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ESE 14 | E 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 |
68 | 18 | 75 | 8 | 47 | 149 | 197 | 4 | 78 | 61 | 213 | 11 | 26 | 28 | 51 | 20 | 223 | 84 | 131 | 84 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | SE 13 | NW 14 | W 4 | N 13 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NNW 12 | NW 12 | NNE 10 | NE 10 | SE 8 | N 11 | ESE 14 | N 7 | N 13 | W 5 |
12 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 44 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 11 | 25 | 71 | 2 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | NW 8 | — | NW 9 | — | SSE 2 | SE 3 | SSE 11 | ESE 4 | E 4 | E 4 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | N 7 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | — | — | S 4 | SSE 11 |
195 | 866 | — | 780 | — | 1 | 5 | 238 | 8 | 32 | 8 | 151 | 132 | 70 | 34 | 525 | — | — | 12 | 494 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 120 | 67 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 18 | 18 | 121 | 81 | 313 | 79 | 8 | 18 | 73 | 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.











