Surf Forecasts:
Wainui Bay Chalet surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSE swell with 813 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Wainui Bay Chalet this week:
The surf forecast for Wainui Bay Chalet over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Wainui Bay Chalet in the next 16 days are 1.2m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wainui Bay Chalet over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, checking in with the goods for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got one main spot on the radar, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag, so let's break it down.
We’re looking at a stretch of surf that starts off pretty average, but builds into something special around the end of the first week and into the start of September. The standout window is definitely from the 27th of August through to the 1st of September.
The first few days are nothing to write home about. Sunday the 23rd has tiny 2ft waves from the SSE and a moderate offshore breeze, but the energy is weak (96) and the water is a bit colder than normal at 55°. Monday the 24th morning cleans up with a light offshore and 3ft SSE swell, but it’s still small. The real action starts to build on Tuesday the 25th with a 3ft SSE groundswell (12-second period) and clean morning conditions under a light WNW breeze. The energy is starting to show (237). Wednesday the 26th morning sees a clean 2ft set from the SSE, but with a super long 17-second period, which is a proper groundswell – it’ll be better shaped and more powerful at Wainui Bay Chalet, which is a more exposed point.
Now, the standout. Thursday the 27th of August is where it gets exciting. The morning brings a clean 3ft SSE swell with a 16-second period, but the afternoon is the real gem. The wind goes light NW offshore, and the swell bumps up to 3ft from the SSE, with a 17-second period and a combined energy of 644 – that’s moderate but solid. The forecast says conditions should be very good, and I’d agree. This is the pick of the first week. Friday the 28th holds on with 4ft SSE swell in the morning, but the wind is cross-off, so it’s a bit less clean.
Over the weekend, it drops back. Saturday the 29th is surfable with 2ft and an offshore breeze, but it’s ordinary. Sunday the 30th is windy and tiny, a write-off.
Then things get interesting again. On Monday the 31st of August, a new swell pushes in from the SSW, but it’s 7ft with a short 8-second period. The wind is strong and cross-off, and the energy is pumping (794), but the wave comment says it’s too big for this break. It’s a mess for paddle surfing. Honestly, with that wind and messy swell, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than a paddle session.
The real second-week highlight is Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning brings a 6ft SSE groundswell with a 15-second period, clean offshore NW winds, and a combined energy of 1448 – that’s strong, powerful stuff. The forecast says it’s excellent for experienced surfers, and I’m stoked on that. This is the real standout of the whole run. The afternoon drops to 5ft and stays clean, but the morning is the one.
After that, Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd are small and ordinary again. There’s a big spike in size on the 6th and 7th of September, with 16ft and 13ft swells, but the commentary says it’s way too big for this break, so that’s just for the experts and the crazy ones.
Overall, you’ve got a decent run from the 25th, with the 27th afternoon and 1st September morning being the true standouts. The 31st is a write-off for paddle surfing. The rest is small and average. Keep an eye on those longer-period swells for better shape.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 15 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
55 | 33 | 33 | 106 | 158 | 589 | 220 | 167 | 112 | 166 | 201 | 156 | 480 | 632 | 767 | 525 | 384 | 192 | 131 | 93 | 59 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 1:46PM1.73m | 2:05AM1.65m | 2:36PM1.70m | 3:08AM1.63m | 3:41PM1.69m | 4:20AM1.65m | 4:58PM1.73m | 5:17AM1.71m | 5:51PM1.81m | 6:03AM1.79m | 6:32PM1.89m | 6:45AM1.86m | 7:10PM1.96m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:09PM0.81m | 8:27AM0.80m | 9:07PM0.83m | 9:27AM0.82m | 10:10PM0.83m | 10:32AM0.78m | 11:11PM0.79m | 11:26AM0.72m | 00:02AM0.73m | 12:10PM0.65m | 00:46AM0.66m | 12:50PM0.58m | 1:26AM0.59m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 |
55 | 25 | 33 | 106 | 158 | 589 | 220 | 167 | 64 | 166 | 201 | 156 | 480 | 632 | 767 | 525 | 384 | 192 | 131 | 93 | 59 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 10 | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | S 15 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | NE 6 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 |
34 | 33 | 9 | 17 | 126 | 30 | 17 | 15 | 112 | 31 | 20 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | — | NE 4 | S 18 | ESE 13 | ENE 4 | NNE 4 | SSE 18 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ENE 4 | NE 10 | — | NE 10 | SE 15 | SE 12 | NE 5 | SE 13 | NE 9 | NE 9 |
7 | — | 1 | 6 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 1 | 4 | — | 4 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 27 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 9 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | — | — | — | ENE 10 | NNE 3 | N 2 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | — | WNW 2 |
— | — | — | — | 2 | 16 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 20 | 2 | 1 | 113 | 15 | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Wainui Bay Chalet Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Wainui Bay Chalet provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Wainui Bay Chalet can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Wainui Bay Chalet 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 (Wainui Bay Chalet) 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 Wainui Bay Chalet 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.











