Te Araroa Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.63° S 178.38° E

Te Araroa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 15 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Te Araroa sea temperature is
14.5°C
0.3° 

Te Araroa surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Te Araroa surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 7s period, NNW swell with 656 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) 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 3.0m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 18th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 18th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 18th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Te Araroa over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Te Araroa over the next sixteen days.

Right off the bat, the water temp is sittin’ around 58°, which is pretty much average for this time of year – nothin’ to write home about, just your standard autumn cool.

The forecast starts quiet, real quiet. From now through to Thursday the 17th, it’s pretty much a write-off. We’ve got tiny swell and poor surf conditions with cross-onshore or cross-shore winds making a mess of things. You’d be better off stayin’ home. There’s a few days of nothin’ worth paddling out for.

Then things start to look up. Friday the 18th morning is where it gets interesting. We get a nice 3ft swell from the southeast with a 13 second period – that’s a proper groundswell. The wind is offshore from the SSW at 6 mph, so clean lines. The combined energy is a solid 838 (moderate energy). This is the standout session of the whole run. The break is a beach and point setup, and with that long period, the point should offer up some nice shaped waves, though at a beach break it might be a bit straight. Still, it’s the best on offer. The crowds? This spot says “never,” so you might have it to yourself.

Saturday the 19th keeps the fun rolling with a smaller 3ft southeast swell in the morning, offshore wind from the SW at 9 mph. Clean and fun. The energy drops to 277, so still moderate. It’s a good backup.

After that, from Sunday the 20th through to Thursday the 24th, it fades away again. Tiny waves, glassy mornings but no real push. Just long flat spells.

Now, later on, things get a bit more interesting again. Friday the 25th afternoon has a 2ft ESE swell with a 13 second period, and the wind goes glassy – calm, dead flat. That’ll be clean as a whistle. Combined energy of 211. Worth a look if you’re keen.

And then – and this is a big one but it’s a long way off – Tuesday the 29th morning. The models are sayin’ an 12ft swell from the northwest, but the comment says it’s predicted to be too big for this break. The combined energy is a massive 1932 (strong energy), but honestly, that’s for experts only, if anyone. So keep that in the back of your mind, but don’t book your flights yet. The wind is offshore from the SSE at 9 mph, so it’ll be clean – but it’s a beast.

Overall, the real standout is Friday the 18th morning. That’s your best chance for a proper session with clean, surfable waves and nobody else around.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Sat night).

Tue
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
3
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
NNE
11
0.3
NE
13
0.8
SE
10
1.3
WNW
5
0.6
SE
12
0.8
SE
10
0.8
SE
10
2.5
NNW
7
1
SE
13
1.3
NNE
8
1.2
NNE
8
0.8
SE
12
0.7
SE
11
0.6
SE
11
0.5
SE
11
0.4
SE
11
0.4
SE
11
0.2
ESE
11
1.5
WNW
6
0.3
SE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
13
25
115
81
92
138
133
565
310
196
176
169
128
101
59
30
30
12
138
16
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
20
WNW
20
WNW
25
WNW
20
W
20
WNW
30
NW
35
NNW
10
SSW
10
WNW
20
W
15
SW
25
W
30
WNW
30
W
15
S
10
W
5
NNW
25
WNW
20
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
High Tide
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
2:15PM1.83m
2:20AM1.76m
Low Tide
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
7:48AM0.74m
8:36PM0.79m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:03
6:03
6:01
5:58
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:00
 mm
1
6
1
Temp °C
14
11
16
16
12
15
15
14
13
13
12
14
16
14
17
13
9
14
15
12
Feels °C
10
7
11
11
8
10
9
8
10
11
7
11
11
9
11
9
5
10
9
8
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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