Surf Forecasts:
Te Araroa surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, SE swell with 762 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period with NNW 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 13s. 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 1.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 9s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Te Araroa over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, boys and girls, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the start of this forecast is a write-off. We’ve got a big stretch of nothing or junky conditions until the first proper surfable window shows up. Don’t bother waxing up until Friday, September 18th. From there, we get a few tidy windows, but nothing that’s gonna blow your socks off. The one day that stands out is Saturday, September 19th.
First real chance is Friday, September 18th. Te Araroa (beach and point) gets a clean, moderate offshore wind from the south, with swell running about 3ft to 3ft out of the southeast, and a solid period of 12 to 13 seconds. That’s groundswell, with moderate energy (700 and 522), so there’s some push behind it. The wind is clean, so expect lined-up waves, especially on the point. It’s not big, but after days of flatness, it’ll feel good. Water temp is about normal for this time of year.
Now the standout is Saturday, September 19th. Saturday afternoon is the absolute pick of the forecast. We’re looking at 5ft of clean southeast swell, a 10-second period, and glassy conditions – yes, dead flat wind from the west-northwest. The wave energy is strong at 501. This is the session to plan your whole week around. The morning’s not bad either with a light cross-offshore breeze and the same 5ft swell (486 energy), but the afternoon is the gold. Crowds can sometimes be a thing here, so get out early or time that glassy window.
After that, it fades quick. Sunday the 20th drops to 3ft, and while it’s clean, it’s just not got the size. The following week is mostly small and messy with cross-shore winds. There’s a little spike on Thursday, September 24th, with a 6ft southeast swell (864 energy) and a light cross-offshore breeze, but that’s a single afternoon window. That size is getting into the expert-only zone if it’s dumpy, but with clean conditions, the point might handle it well. The rest of that week is tiny or wind-blown.
So, to keep it simple: don’t bother until Friday, September 18th. Saturday the 19th afternoon is your best bet – glassy, 5ft, and clean. After that, keep an eye out for the next pulse, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the NW by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Thu night, calm by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 13 | NE 13 | NNE 11 | NE 13 | SE 10 | WNW 5 | SE 10 | SE 10 | NW 6 | NNW 7 | SE 13 | SE 12 | NNE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | NE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 14 | 7 | 13 | 25 | 115 | 81 | 74 | 138 | 165 | 486 | 277 | 263 | 101 | 450 | 468 | 12 | 168 | 132 | 160 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:01PM2.04m | 9:26AM2.05m | 9:46PM2.01m | 10:10AM2.01m | 10:28PM1.97m | 10:55AM1.96m | 11:09PM1.92m | 11:41AM1.92m | 11:50PM1.87m | 12:29PM1.88m | 00:34AM1.81m | 1:20PM1.85m | 1:24AM1.77m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:24AM0.34m | 3:42PM0.43m | 4:07AM0.38m | 4:24PM0.49m | 4:48AM0.44m | 5:07PM0.57m | 5:28AM0.52m | 5:54PM0.66m | 6:10AM0.61m | 6:46PM0.73m | 6:56AM0.69m | 7:41PM0.77m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | |
 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 9 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | NW 7 | NNE 8 | SSE 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | SSE 10 | SE 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 |
| kJ | 122 | 149 | 138 | 98 | 115 | 90 | 74 | 138 | 92 | 41 | 262 | 194 | 726 | 273 | 94 | 314 | 168 | 240 | 169 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | SE 13 | SE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 11 | SE 12 | NNE 8 | SE 12 | NNE 8 | SE 10 | NE 10 | WNW 7 | SSE 8 | SE 10 | E 11 |
| kJ | 1 | 7 | 7 | 25 | 23 | 57 | 72 | 21 | 12 | 34 | 161 | 263 | 101 | 450 | 15 | 108 | 21 | 132 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 13 | NE 11 | NNE 11 | SE 13 | SE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | N 11 | NE 11 | SE 14 | SE 13 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | S 8 | E 14 |
| kJ | 14 | 5 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 23 | 22 | 2 | 4 | 33 | 277 | 65 | 15 | 36 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NNW 7 | S 4 | SSE 8 | W 5 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | — | WNW 8 | S 8 | SE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 7 | 11 | 81 | 87 | 56 | 165 | 486 | 36 | 472 | 13 | 820 | 468 | — | 438 | 42 | 160 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 6 | 166 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 9 | 18 | 67 | 107 | 35 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 39 | 0 |
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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