Waitarere surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Friday 20 Feb 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
17.5° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)


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 (Feb 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. 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 Sunday (Feb 22) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Feb 28) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sat 21st Feb)6ft (1.8m) 8s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 22nd Feb)7.5ft (2.3m) 8s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sun 22nd Feb)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 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the NW by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
WNW
1.8
WNW
1
W
0.5
W
2.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
WNW
1.8
WNW
0.4
W
0.4
W
1.3
WNW
1.8
WNW
1.5
WNW
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.5
W
0.4
W
0.4
W
1
W
1.8
WNW
1.4
WNW
Period(s) (?)88913878813135768981614576
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1001470151907607401072437555383306160423835796553276135
Wind
(km/h)
35
WNW
10
ESE
10
NNE
15
NNW
30
NW
35
WNW
30
WNW
15
ENE
5
N
10
WSW
15
NNW
20
NW
15
SSW
5
E
5
E
10
SW
10
ENE
10
NNE
15
WNW
20
NW
15
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
onoffglassoncrosscross-
on
crossoffglasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
oncross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:33AM
2.39
12:48PM
2.46
1:12AM
2.34
1:28PM
2.36
1:55AM
2.25
2:14PM
2.22
2:45AM
2.13
3:11PM
2.07
3:51AM
2.00
4:28PM
1.95
5:23AM
1.95
6:00PM
1.92
6:53AM
2.01
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:09PM
0.14
7:24AM
0.18
7:49PM
0.19
8:06AM
0.28
8:31PM
0.29
8:53AM
0.42
9:17PM
0.43
9:49AM
0.57
10:13PM
0.59
10:56AM
0.70
11:26PM
0.71
12:22PM
0.76
1:01AM
0.72
Fri
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Sunrise--6:50--6:50--6:52--6:52--6:54--6:56--6:56
Sunset8:15--8:14--8:13--8:10--8:09--8:07--8:07--
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
Rain (mm)
-----------1--------1
Temp. °C181616171617171517181618191417201720191717
Feels °C (?)121614141211111415161416181215171518171515
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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