Surf Forecasts:
Wainui Bay Chalet surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSE swell with 671 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with SSE 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Wainui Bay Chalet in the next 16 days are 1.2m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wainui Bay Chalet over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Wainui Bay Chalet.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start ahead, but there’s some real promise building towards the end of the month and into early September. The water temp is sitting at a cool 55°, which is about 2° colder than usual for this time of year – so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.
For the first few days, don’t get your hopes up. Thursday the 20th is a write-off with messy, cross-shore wind on a 7ft S swell, and the energy is strong at 1188, but the period is short and the wind is all wrong. Friday morning the 21st cleans right up with a light NW offshore and a tiny 2ft SSE groundswell at a long 16 seconds – it’s glassy clean but super small, so maybe a longboard session if you’re keen. That long period will make it tricky at the beach, but Wainui Bay is a reef setup, so it’ll handle it. Saturday the 22nd morning has a clean 3ft SSE swell with offshore WNW wind, still small but workable. Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th drop right off into knee-high territory, so don’t bother.
There’s a real gap here from about Sunday the 23rd through to Thursday the 27th – just tiny, clean but tiny waves, honestly not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate. The energy is weak, dropping to as low as 41 (combined energy), so it’s flat.
Now, things start to look interesting again from the 31st of August. Monday morning the 31st sees a solid 5ft SSE groundswell at 17 seconds, with light offshore cross-off wind and clean conditions. The energy is strong at 1591. This is a standout – good size, clean, and that long period will wrap nicely around the reef. This is one for the experienced crew as it’s pushing into the bigger range. The crowds are possible here, so get in early.
Tuesday the 1st of September morning is another beauty – 7ft SSE swell, light NNW offshore, glassy clean. The energy is 1386, solid. This is definitely for experienced surfers only, as it’s overhead. The swell direction is bang on the optimum SSE, so Wainui will be firing.
Wednesday the 2nd of September morning pushes up to 7ft SSE swell – this is getting big. The wind is light and clean, but at this size, it’s only for experts. The energy is 1657, so there’s plenty of power. Smaller craft might struggle, and it’s worth mentioning: with the size and cross-off wind, this setup might actually be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
From Thursday the 3rd and into Friday the 4th, it drops back to a more manageable 5ft then 4ft SE swell, with clean offshore winds on the Friday morning. Good fun for intermediates, but not the standout of the week.
The real standouts are Monday the 31st August morning and Tuesday the 1st September morning – get those dates in the diary. It’s long-range, so keep an eye on the forecasts, but it’s looking promising.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | S 7 | SSE 17 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
539 | 505 | 160 | 211 | 671 | 242 | 210 | 153 | 79 | 55 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 59 | 482 | 249 | 175 | 78 | 85 | 44 | 40 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:32AM1.90m | 11:48PM1.87m | 12:17PM1.84m | 00:30AM1.79m | 1:01PM1.78m | 1:14AM1.71m | 1:46PM1.73m | 2:05AM1.65m | 2:36PM1.70m | 3:08AM1.63m | 3:41PM1.69m | 4:20AM1.65m | 4:58PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:42PM0.65m | 6:09AM0.62m | 6:28PM0.72m | 6:53AM0.69m | 7:17PM0.77m | 7:38AM0.75m | 8:09PM0.81m | 8:27AM0.80m | 9:07PM0.83m | 9:27AM0.82m | 10:10PM0.83m | 10:32AM0.78m | 11:11PM0.79m | ||||||||
6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | ESE 10 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | S 7 | S 6 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 |
460 | 222 | 160 | 157 | 671 | 242 | 210 | 153 | 79 | 55 | 25 | 34 | 33 | 20 | 482 | 249 | 175 | 78 | 45 | 44 | 40 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | SSE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 10 | ESE 13 | SSE 17 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
189 | 177 | 127 | 80 | 138 | 63 | 32 | 9 | 16 | 34 | 34 | 9 | 34 | 59 | 29 | 17 | 16 | 76 | 85 | 18 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 13 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | — | SSE 16 | E 15 | E 14 | ESE 11 | NE 13 | — | NE 4 | S 18 | ESE 13 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 |
— | 98 | 58 | 211 | — | 97 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 7 | — | 1 | 6 | 34 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | NNW 2 | WNW 2 | — | N 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | — | — | — | — |
539 | 505 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 38 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











