Surf Forecasts:
Waimarama surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, SSW swell with 5,609 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period with S 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 11s period. 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 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waimarama over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Waimarama.
We’ve got a big pulse of swell rolling in that’s going to shake things up, but you’ll need to pick your windows carefully. There are two clear standouts in this 16-day run, and both are for the more experienced surfer.
The first big call is Wednesday, August 19th. A solid southerly swell packs a punch with wave heights of 15ft and a period of 11 seconds. The combined energy is massive at 8510, so this is serious, powerful water. The wind is a fresh offshore from the SSW, which would normally be a dream, but honestly, it’s simply too big for this break. This is for the well-experienced crew only, and even then, it’s a handful. The afternoon drops a touch to 12ft but with a very long 15-second period and a cross-off wind; still a beast.
Thursday the 20th is your first real highlight. Morning brings a 8ft southerly swell with a 13-second period and a gentle offshore from the WSW. Conditions are marked as “excellent for experienced surfers”. The combined energy is 2502, so there’s proper grunt behind it, but it’s manageable. This is a top pick for the confident surfer.
Friday the 21st is the other absolute gem. The morning is glassy, with a 4ft southerly swell and a long 12-second period. The combined energy is 847. It’s clean, glassy, and the conditions are “very good”. This is the best session of the whole outlook for the intermediate and above crew. Don’t sleep on it.
After that, things go quiet for a stretch. From the afternoon of the 21st right through until the morning of Monday, August 31st, it’s a flat spell with mostly small, weak, or poor-quality surf. There’s nothing worth paddling out for.
But the wait is worth it. Monday, August 31st morning looks like a return to form. A 6ft southerly swell with a 13-second period and a light offshore from the SW. Combined energy of 1182. It’s clean and solid, a nice run of waves from the south.
Tuesday, September 1st is also decent. Glassy conditions again with a 3ft southerly swell and 11-second period. A good end to the outlook for a clean, cruisy session.
For a bit of perspective, the water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year, no big anomalies to report.
Stay sharp, pick your days, and don’t bother with that flat spell mid-period.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 8 | S 8 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | S 16 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4981 | 5207 | 5609 | 3278 | 1864 | 542 | 266 | 389 | 330 | 365 | 203 | 152 | 108 | 48 | 34 | 30 | 33 | 124 | 276 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:05PM1.47m | 10:32AM1.44m | 10:54PM1.41m | 11:21AM1.41m | 11:42PM1.35m | 12:09PM1.38m | 00:30AM1.31m | 12:56PM1.36m | 1:18AM1.28m | 1:44PM1.34m | 2:05AM1.26m | 2:32PM1.34m | 2:52AM1.26m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:23AM0.15m | 4:48PM0.20m | 5:10AM0.21m | 5:37PM0.25m | 5:56AM0.26m | 6:25PM0.30m | 6:42AM0.30m | 7:12PM0.33m | 7:28AM0.32m | 8:00PM0.35m | 8:14AM0.33m | 8:48PM0.35m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | -3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 11 | S 11 | SE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | S 9 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | — | 3303 | 1096 | 580 | 258 | 386 | 266 | 389 | 330 | 365 | 203 | 152 | 108 | 48 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 40 | 276 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 9 | S 14 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 16 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 16 | ESE 13 |
| kJ | — | — | 626 | 1142 | 168 | 119 | 90 | 325 | 114 | 50 | 21 | 9 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 15 | 14 | 124 | 34 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 15 | — | S 13 | S 12 | S 17 | ESE 11 | S 16 | — | E 15 | E 14 | SE 9 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | SSW 5 | S 14 | SSW 12 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 940 | — | 212 | 78 | 202 | 133 | 237 | — | 4 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 45 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 8 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 4 | — | NNE 4 | N 5 | W 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | — |
| kJ | 4981 | 5207 | 5609 | 3278 | 1864 | 542 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 2 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 259 | 40 | 256 | 0 | 0 | 114 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 61 | 61 | 2 | 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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