
Surf Forecasts:
Te Araroa surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 7s period, NW swell with 798 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period. 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 3.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Te Araroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down the surf for Te Araroa.
Honestly, the next week or so is a bit of a grind. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak surf with so-so conditions. The first few days are looking pretty flat and uninspiring, with the combined energy struggling to get above 200. There’s a big gap of poor to marginal surf until the end of the month. The water temp is sitting at 61°F, which is about average for this time of year.
Things finally start to show some life around Monday the 27th, with a bit more size. That swell builds through the day, and we’re seeing some real potential. The standout window is definitely Tuesday the 28th. The morning sees a solid 6ft SE swell with a long 14-second period and a gentle offshore breeze. The wave energy is going to be strong (1428), and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the one to circle. The afternoon gets even better, going glassy with a slight shift in wind, still a solid 6ft of clean, long-period groundswell. This is the best on offer.
Wednesday the 29th also looks good, with glassy conditions in the morning and a nice 4ft ESE swell. The energy is still strong (555). It’s a perfect follow-up day for the more experienced crew.
We do get a bit of a wildcard on Thursday the 30th, with a NW windswell jumping up to 8ft, but the period is short and the wind is messy. It’s more of a challenge than a classic session. Friday the 31st sees the swell getting too big for the break, with 12ft of NW swell – that’s expert territory only, and even then, it might be a washing machine.
The first week of August brings a return to smaller, cleaner conditions, but nothing that really stands out. The 1st of August has a fun little pulse in the afternoon, with a 7ft NW swell and clean offshore wind, worth a look if you’re keen.
So, to sum it up: the wait is long, but Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are the real prizes. Clean, strong, long-period groundswell with light winds. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, strong winds from the WNW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 8 | NW 5 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
209 | 177 | 130 | 126 | 82 | 142 | 55 | 42 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 33 | 117 | 78 | 102 | 160 | 146 | 169 | 206 | 427 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:09AM2.06m | 11:36PM2.11m | 12:02PM2.00m | 00:24AM2.05m | 12:54PM1.94m | 1:10AM1.99m | 1:46PM1.90m | 1:56AM1.93m | 2:39PM1.88m | 2:45AM1.88m | 3:36PM1.88m | 3:38AM1.85m | 4:34PM1.90m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:23PM0.51m | 5:59AM0.46m | 6:12PM0.57m | 6:47AM0.51m | 7:03PM0.64m | 7:35AM0.57m | 7:58PM0.71m | 8:26AM0.62m | 8:54PM0.76m | 9:20AM0.66m | 9:50PM0.79m | 10:15AM0.67m | 10:42PM0.79m | ||||||||
7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | |
— | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | 7 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | E 6 | ENE 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 14 | WNW 7 |
209 | 177 | 130 | 126 | 82 | 142 | 55 | 42 | 39 | 30 | 20 | 12 | 33 | 41 | 78 | 102 | 160 | 146 | 112 | 206 | 302 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | SSE 20 | SSE 20 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | N 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 8 | SE 10 | SSE 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 16 | SE 14 | E 11 | ESE 13 |
2 | 76 | 304 | 140 | 51 | 2 | 75 | 22 | 25 | 13 | 30 | 29 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 22 | 124 | 169 | 83 | 427 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 20 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | SSE 20 | N 10 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | E 5 | E 4 | SSE 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 16 |
38 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 37 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 37 | 50 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | WNW 4 | NW 3 | WNW 4 | NW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | SSE 9 |
52 | 46 | 46 | 26 | 22 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 20 | 117 | 969 | 501 | 432 | 899 | 502 | 426 | 110 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 56 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 67 | 18 | 118 | 18 | 18 | 67 | 18 | 9 | 67 | 127 | 127 | 67 | 242 |
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.










