
Surf Forecasts:
Waimarama surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period, SSW swell with 7,017 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 12s period with SSW 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 3.5m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waimarama in the next 16 days are 5.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waimarama over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s coming for Waimarama.
We start off on Tuesday, August 4th, and it’s all about size. The first few days are a full-on beast. We’ve got a solid south swell, but it’s way too big for this spot. Tuesday morning sees 8ft of south swell with a 30 km/h offshore wind, and the energy is massive (1352). By the afternoon, it’s blowing up to 12ft from the south with a 12-second period and a strong offshore. The water is sitting at 55°, a bit colder than normal for this time of year. Wednesday is even bigger, with 16ft swell in the morning and 13ft in the afternoon, both with a long 12-second period and clean offshore winds. The combined energy is through the roof (10821 and 7507). This is heavy, expert-only territory, and honestly, it’s more of a spectacle than a surf session.
Things start to settle down on Thursday, August 6th. The swell drops to 8ft from the SSE with a clean cross-offshore breeze. The energy is still moderate (1231), and the conditions are looking clean. This is where the more experienced crew can start to have a crack. The afternoon gets even better, with 6ft from the SSW and clean conditions.
Friday morning, August 7th, is a real gem. We’ve got a 3ft groundswell from the south, but the period is a very long 17 seconds, and the wind is a glassy 5 km/h cross-offshore. The energy is moderate (1177) and the ocean is clean. This is a beautiful, long-period swell. It’s a point break or reef setup kind of wave, so at Waimarama, a beach and reef, it might break a bit straight, but the quality is there for a patient surfer. The afternoon turns onshore and messy, so grab the morning. Saturday morning, August 8th, is also a solid option with 5ft from the south, a 12-second period, and a clean cross-offshore breeze. The energy is moderate (816).
After that, we hit a flat spell. From Sunday, August 9th, through to the middle of the month, the swell drops off. The waves are small and weak, with energy readings dropping to the 200-300 range. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-shore, and the conditions are ordinary. There’s a brief spike on Saturday, August 15th, with 7ft from the SSW and a fresh offshore, but the period is a short 8 seconds and the energy is only moderate (738). It’s a washout for a solid week.
Hold on, though, because the end of the forecast window has a real standout. On Wednesday, August 19th, we get a big pulse of south swell: 12ft from the SSW with an 11-second period and a light offshore wind. The energy is very strong (5210). This is again big, expert-only stuff, but it’s clean and powerful. The afternoon drops to 10ft, still big, with a light cross-shore.
If I had to pick the true best on offer, it’s Friday morning, August 7th. That 3ft, 17-second groundswell with glassy conditions is the kind of day that makes you forget about the rest of the week. It’s clean, it’s long-period, and it’s magical. The other standout is the big, clean swell on August 19th, but that’s for the big-wave chargers only.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Thu afternoon, min 3°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the W by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 11 | SE 12 | S 17 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 13 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
935 | 3543 | 4093 | 6718 | 4619 | 2137 | 1189 | 798 | 421 | 586 | 997 | 1001 | 657 | 449 | 356 | 260 | 260 | 483 | 173 | 212 | 240 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:28AM1.36m | 9:49PM1.43m | 10:15AM1.39m | 10:37PM1.43m | 11:05AM1.43m | 11:27PM1.43m | 11:57AM1.46m | 00:21AM1.44m | 12:53PM1.50m | 1:18AM1.45m | 1:51PM1.54m | 2:17AM1.46m | 2:50PM1.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:42PM0.22m | 4:11AM0.20m | 4:30PM0.21m | 4:56AM0.18m | 5:21PM0.20m | 5:45AM0.17m | 6:15PM0.19m | 6:38AM0.15m | 7:11PM0.17m | 7:33AM0.13m | 8:09PM0.15m | 8:30AM0.10m | 9:09PM0.12m | ||||||||
7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | |
mm | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | -1 | -3 | -3 | -2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | NE 12 | — | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 13 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
411 | 6 | — | 4103 | 2888 | 1879 | 1189 | 679 | 281 | 520 | 997 | 1001 | 657 | 449 | 356 | 260 | 260 | 483 | 173 | 212 | 240 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | — | — | — | — | SE 16 | SE 15 | SSW 11 | SE 12 | S 17 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | E 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | E 12 | S 11 | E 12 | E 12 |
6 | — | — | — | — | 41 | 36 | 158 | 421 | 586 | 298 | 101 | 135 | 85 | 3 | 107 | 239 | 11 | 38 | 11 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SE 16 | E 18 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | E 14 | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 13 | NNE 4 | E 12 | E 12 | S 4 | E 12 | S 15 |
— | — | — | — | — | 66 | 6 | 100 | 230 | 71 | 154 | 4 | 24 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SSW 12 | — | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | — | SW 3 | SSW 4 | — | NE 2 |
935 | 3543 | 4093 | 6718 | 4619 | 2137 | — | 798 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 252 | 256 | 26 | 136 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 55 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 111 | 213 |
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.











