
Surf Forecasts:
Waimarama surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, S swell with 2,639 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.5m and 7s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waimarama over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Waimarama.
Right now, the surf is nothing special. There’s some clean options coming up, but you gotta pick your moments. Water temp is about 54°, a bit cooler than average for the time of year, so bring the thick wetsuit.
The first real standout is Monday, 14 September, in the morning. The wind goes glassy with a light NNW breeze at 3 mph, and we’ve got a clean 2 ft S swell with an 11-second period. The combined energy is moderate (631). It’s not big, but it’s the best early window.
Next up is Saturday, 19 September. The morning starts clean with a 1.0 ft SSW swell at 14 seconds, light WNW wind at 3 mph, and moderate energy (456). The afternoon turns offshore with a SSW breeze at 12 mph, delivering a 0.8 ft S swell at a very long 15 seconds. That long period means the waves will have more shape and power, especially on the reef, but expect longer waits between sets. Crowds can show up sometimes at Waimarama, and for this quality, they will.
Then Tuesday, 22 September, morning. Glassy again, WNW wind at 3 mph, with a 0.9 ft S swell at 12 seconds and moderate energy (324). Clean and small, perfect for a peaceful paddle.
Looking way out to Sunday, 27 September, the swell jumps to 12 ft from the S at 10 seconds, with massive energy (4332). Wind is light offshore/cross-off, so it’s clean, but that’s too big for this spot – only for expert surfers. The afternoon stays huge at 10 ft but gets a cross-on breeze, messing it up.
The second week has a few marginal mornings, but nothing that beats those first few standout sessions. There’s plenty of flat or messy days in between.
So, your best bets are Monday 14 September morning and Saturday 19 September all day. Make the most of them.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 14 | SSW 6 | SE 14 | ESE 13 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
193 | 516 | 1979 | 1021 | 475 | 1068 | 618 | 614 | 382 | 186 | 139 | 83 | 59 | 37 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 143 | 49 | 113 | 120 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:17PM1.57m | 6:44AM1.50m | 7:08PM1.54m | 7:34AM1.50m | 7:57PM1.51m | 8:23AM1.49m | 8:46PM1.46m | 9:11AM1.47m | 9:33PM1.42m | 9:57AM1.44m | 10:20PM1.37m | 10:44AM1.41m | 11:06PM1.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:05PM0.08m | 00:37AM0.07m | 12:58PM0.09m | 1:27AM0.09m | 1:50PM0.11m | 2:15AM0.11m | 2:40PM0.14m | 3:02AM0.15m | 3:29PM0.18m | 3:48AM0.20m | 4:16PM0.23m | 4:33AM0.25m | 5:03PM0.27m | ||||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SSE 6 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 6 | S 6 | ESE 13 | S 10 |
193 | 127 | 1979 | 1021 | 475 | 1068 | 618 | 614 | 382 | 186 | 139 | 83 | 59 | 37 | 12 | 13 | 5 | 80 | 35 | 113 | 120 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | S 16 | ENE 12 | ENE 9 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | E 9 | NE 12 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 11 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 4 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 14 | SE 14 | SSE 5 | S 13 |
8 | 516 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 19 | 49 | 17 | 119 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 12 | NE 9 | — | NE 12 | E 9 | NE 13 | SE 11 | S 15 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 5 | S 14 | S 12 | S 18 | S 18 | SE 12 |
5 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 3 | — | 5 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 25 | 120 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 7 | — | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | ENE 2 | — | — | W 3 | — | — | NE 4 | SSW 6 | — | — | NNE 5 |
28 | 205 | — | — | 89 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 143 | — | — | 39 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 163 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 190 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 2 | 2 | 82 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 118 | 190 | 133 | 6 | 21 | 73 | 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.










