
Surf Forecasts:
Wainui Beach - Schools surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 19s period, SSE swell with 2,933 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Wainui Beach - Schools this week:
The surf forecast for Wainui Beach - Schools over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Wainui Beach - Schools in the next 16 days are 2.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wainui Beach - Schools over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of waves coming up at Wainui Beach - Schools, with the best action in the first week. The water is sitting at 57°F, which is about average for this time of year.
Friday the 17th kicks things off in the afternoon, but it’s a bit of a washout – a messy 5ft cross-shore swell from the ESE with a long 16-second period, and the energy is moderate (1122). Not worth paddling out for.
Saturday the 18th morning is where it starts to get interesting. Clean 4ft groundswell from the ESE, 14-second period, and a light WNW cross-offshore breeze. The energy is still moderate (1015), but the conditions are sweet for experienced surfers. The afternoon turns a bit lumpy with a cross-on wind, so get on it early.
Sunday the 19th morning is a standout. A solid 5ft swell from the SSE, pumping with an 18-second period – that’s proper long-period groundswell. The energy bumps up to strong (1734), and with a light WNW cross-offshore wind, the lines will be clean and powerful. This is the best on offer for the whole outlook. Ideal for advanced surfers on the reef sections, as the long period will make for some set waves. The afternoon gets ruined by a fresh southerly, so be out before lunch.
Monday the 20th is a write-off: choppy, blown-out conditions, even though the Monday afternoon is 5ft with huge energy (3350). The cross-on wind kills it.
Tuesday the 21st is another cracker. Morning offers 6ft from the SSE with a 16-second period, glassy conditions – zero wind – and strong energy (1535). Afternoon stays glassy with only a whisper of easterly breeze, still 5ft. This is your second standout, especially if you miss Sunday. Expert territory at 6ft, but a beautiful session.
Wednesday the 22nd morning drops to 3ft with a clean offshore wind, energy is moderate (335). Worth a look for a cruisy session. Afternoon goes small and onshore, not worth it.
Thursday the 23rd morning stays small at 3ft but clean with offshore wind and low energy (255). Surfable, but ordinary.
From Friday the 24th through the end of the month, the swell drops right off. We’ve got a stretch of days with tiny waves (1ft to 2ft) and only weak to very weak energy. Even with occasional offshore winds, it’s flat to ankle-snappers. The morning of Monday the 27th bumps back to 3ft with 12-second period and moderate energy (417), but the wind goes cross-on in the afternoon, sloppy.
Now, look ahead to Tuesday the 28th morning: 6ft from the SE, but the period is short at 8 seconds. Moderate offshore wind and moderate energy (664). It’s steep and quick, better for experienced surfers on the reef, but with that short period it won’t have the same punch as the earlier groundswell. It’s a good option if you’re keen, but not a true standout.
The final week sees small to marginal surf with mostly clean but unexciting conditions. The morning of Saturday the 1st of August has 3ft from the east with a short 8-second period and low energy (252), clean under a light offshore. It’s a lazy day out.
Overall, Saturday 18th morning, Sunday 19th morning, and Tuesday 21st are your best bets. Sunday 19th morning is the pick of the lot: that 5ft SSE groundswell with an 18-second period and light offshore wind is about as good as it gets for advanced surfers here.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 21 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
978 | 880 | 722 | 586 | 2124 | 1377 | 950 | 644 | 589 | 1788 | 2811 | 1466 | 1051 | 622 | 312 | 230 | 163 | 204 | 111 | 88 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | off | off | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 8:28PM2.11m | 8:53AM1.99m | 9:21PM2.12m | 9:45AM2.01m | 10:13PM2.11m | 10:36AM2.00m | 11:02PM2.08m | 11:25AM1.98m | 11:47PM2.03m | 12:13PM1.94m | 00:29AM1.96m | 12:59PM1.88m | 1:10AM1.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:51AM0.53m | 3:01PM0.47m | 3:41AM0.52m | 3:54PM0.50m | 4:31AM0.53m | 4:45PM0.54m | 5:19AM0.54m | 5:32PM0.59m | 6:06AM0.56m | 6:19PM0.64m | 6:49AM0.58m | 7:05PM0.70m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 9 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 21 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 |
978 | 880 | 722 | 586 | 2124 | 1377 | 950 | 644 | 589 | 1788 | 2811 | 1466 | 1051 | 622 | 312 | 230 | 163 | 204 | 111 | 88 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 |
105 | 145 | 285 | 158 | 553 | 357 | 317 | 210 | 161 | 123 | 73 | 69 | 68 | 44 | 23 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 17 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 15 | S 20 | S 24 | — | — | — | — | SSE 5 | ESE 12 | — | — | S 20 | — | — | — | SE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 11 |
39 | 113 | 8 | 432 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 177 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | 35 | 25 | 11 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | — | N 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1262 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 13 | 46 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 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 Beach - Schools Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Wainui Beach - Schools provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Wainui Beach - Schools can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Wainui Beach - Schools 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 Beach - Schools) 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 Beach - Schools 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Gisborne and Mahia? If you are looking for accommodation near Wainui Beach - Schools, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Gisborne and Mahia, consider staying in Gisborne which is 9 km (6 miles) away.










