Surf Forecasts:
Waimarama surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 19s period, S swell with 3,498 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waimarama this week:
The surf forecast for Waimarama over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waimarama in the next 16 days are 2.2m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waimarama over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Waimarama. This spot’s been pretty consistent lately, and we’ve got a decent run of surf coming up – though nothing that’s gonna blow your mind until later in the week. The water’s sitting at 55°, which is a touch cooler than average for this time of year, so you might want a thicker wetsuit.
Friday 17th afternoon – we kick off with a 5.2ft ESE swell, period 15 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, so the waves will have some punch and shape, but the wind is light cross-on from the ENE at 3 mph. It’s surfable, but the wind’s not perfect – there’ll be a bit of texture on the face. Still, it’s a start.
Saturday 18th morning – the wind swings to a light cross-off from the WNW at 3 mph, and we’ve got 4.9ft ESE swell with 14 second period. Clean conditions, the sets will line up nicely. This is a good window for anyone who wants a fun session without the crowds being too heavy – though crowds are possible at Waimarama. Swell direction’s not optimum (we prefer east), but the quality is there.
Saturday afternoon – a new S swell rolls in, 3.6ft but with a massive 23 second period. That’s a very long groundswell, which means deep energy and long lulls. The wind goes light cross-on from the east at 3 mph, so it won’t be glassy, but the waves will be powerful. For a beach and reef setup, long period swells can make the take-offs a bit tricky – better on the reef side.
Sunday 19th morning – now we’re talking. 4.6ft S swell at 18 seconds, light cross-off WNW wind at 3 mph, and the conditions are clean. The surf’s excellent for experienced surfers – it’s not huge, but there’s enough push for some proper turns. This is one of the best windows early in the forecast.
Monday 20th afternoon – the
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | S 23 | S 20 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1209 | 1102 | 934 | 1310 | 2039 | 1243 | 901 | 760 | 842 | 2921 | 2973 | 1614 | 1227 | 769 | 409 | 198 | 177 | 99 | 168 | 167 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:55PM1.70m | 8:23AM1.54m | 8:50PM1.66m | 9:18AM1.51m | 9:43PM1.59m | 10:12AM1.47m | 10:35PM1.52m | 11:05AM1.44m | 11:27PM1.45m | 11:57AM1.40m | 00:17AM1.38m | 12:47PM1.38m | 1:06AM1.33m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:20AM-0.00m | 2:36PM0.01m | 3:14AM0.02m | 3:31PM0.05m | 4:06AM0.05m | 4:25PM0.11m | 4:57AM0.10m | 5:18PM0.17m | 5:46AM0.16m | 6:09PM0.23m | 6:33AM0.22m | 6:59PM0.28m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | S 20 | S 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 1209 | 1102 | 934 | 721 | 2039 | 1243 | 901 | 760 | 842 | 2921 | 2973 | 1614 | 1227 | 769 | 409 | 198 | 177 | 90 | 168 | 167 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | S 23 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | S 12 | SSW 13 | SSE 13 | S 7 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 271 | 134 | 189 | 1310 | 590 | 451 | 341 | 230 | 184 | 123 | 115 | 81 | 82 | 47 | 22 | 75 | 59 | 99 | 23 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | S 14 | S 19 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | S 19 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 11 | SSE 14 | SSW 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
| kJ | 103 | 103 | 29 | 98 | — | — | — | — | 266 | 158 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 37 | 26 | 12 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | — | — | N 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 61 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hawkes Bay | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Waimarama Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Waimarama provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Waimarama can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Waimarama 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 (Waimarama) 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 Waimarama 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.
Waimarama is 25 km (16 miles) from the city of Hastings. If you plan a holiday in Hawkes Bay, look for hotels and other accommodation in Hastings. Hastings has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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