Waitarere surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Saturday 17 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Waitarere surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Waitarere sea temperature is
18.5° C
(Which is 1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waitarere this week:

The surf forecast for Waitarere over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 17) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waitarere in the next 12 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 24) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sat 17th Jan)3.5ft (1.0m) 5s
Best Surf 7PM (Sat 17th Jan)3.5ft (1.0m) 5s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 24th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waitarere over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds.

Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
SSW
0.9
SSW
0.8
SSW
0.2
SSW
0.7
SSW
0.5
SSW
0.3
SSW
0.1
W
0.4
SSW
0.1
W
0.1
W
0.2
W
0.2
W
0.2
W
0.4
SW
0.1
W
0.1
W
0.3
NW
0.2
W
0.2
W
0.2
W
Period(s) (?)555855512512121413134222013181615
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)354431629154393314131349828242119
Wind
(km/h)
10
SSE
15
S
10
ESE
10
SSE
20
SE
10
ESE
10
SE
15
E
20
ESE
10
ESE
10
SE
15
ESE
15
E
15
ESE
20
E
25
ESE
35
E
20
E
5
SW
40
SSW
45
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offoffoffoffglasscross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:55PM
2.10
10:12AM
2.25
10:33PM
2.18
10:48AM
2.34
11:09PM
2.24
11:24AM
2.40
11:45PM
2.28
12:00PM
2.43
12:21AM
2.29
12:36PM
2.42
12:59AM
2.28
1:13PM
2.39
1:38AM
2.23
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:27PM
0.54
4:44AM
0.45
5:04PM
0.46
5:21AM
0.37
5:40PM
0.40
5:57AM
0.31
6:17PM
0.34
6:33AM
0.28
6:55PM
0.31
7:10AM
0.28
7:35PM
0.31
7:48AM
0.31
8:15PM
0.32
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Sunrise6:07--6:07--6:09--6:09--6:11--6:13--6:13--
Sunset-8:50--8:49--8:49--8:47--8:46--8:46--8:45-
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
---------------310314312
Temp. °C161814171713181914181914212217171819181616
Feels °C (?)15151113131015151015161018191414131820108
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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Information about the Waitarere Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Waitarere provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Waitarere can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Waitarere 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 (Waitarere) 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 Waitarere 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 Wanganui and the Manawatu? If you are looking for accommodation near Waitarere, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Wanganui and the Manawatu, consider staying in Levin which is 11 km (7 miles) away. Other places in and around Wanganui and the Manawatu where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Palmerston North which is 43 km (27 miles) away, Paraparaumu, Masterton and Upper Hutt.

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