Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 11s period, S swell with 7,301 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whangara this week:
The surf forecast for Whangara 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 0.9m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 5.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.5m 11s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s cut through the chatter. Right now, and for the next week plus, the ocean is doing a whole lot of nothing. From the 18th through the 24th, it’s a mess of wind and small, weak waves. Forget about it. You’re better off doing anything else.
There’s a brief moment on Friday morning the 21st with a clean 2ft south swell with a long 16-second period and offshore wind. It’ll be glassy, but there’s just no power. The energy is only moderate. You might get a few, but it’s a starve, not a feast.
Then it just flat-out dies. From the 23rd to the end of the month, we’re looking at dribbles under 2ft and energy readings that are just sad. It’s a proper flat spell. The 26th has a tiny bump with a super long 18-second period, but it’s not gonna do anything.
Okay, now for the real talk. The hope is for Tuesday the 1st of September. The afternoon sees a new swell arrive – a powerful 8ft south groundswell with a long 15-second period. The energy jumps to a strong 2910. There’s a bit of cross-onshore wind, but with that size, it might have some shape to it. This is when things get serious at Whangara (beach and reef).
But the standout, the day to circle on the calendar, is Wednesday the 2nd of September. The swell holds at 7ft from the south with the same long period, and the energy is still strong. The morning wind is light and cross-offshore, which is perfect. This will be a big, powerful swell. Not for the faint of heart – definitely too big for beginners and will be a handful for most. This has got the potential to be a proper day out. It’s a long way off, so treat it with caution, but it’s the best thing on the board.
The afternoon of the 2nd gets ruined by a fresh onshore breeze, so you want to be on it early that Wednesday. It’s a long wait, but that’s the wave to chase.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue night, light winds from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SE 10 | S 11 | S 11 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 17 | S 16 | ESE 10 | S 16 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 626 | 344 | 0 | 6542 | 664 | 640 | 293 | 162 | 148 | 262 | 178 | 127 | 29 | 18 | 152 | 81 | 49 | 30 | 34 | 34 | 36 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:03AM1.49m | 10:24PM1.49m | 10:52AM1.45m | 11:11PM1.43m | 11:39AM1.41m | 11:58PM1.37m | 12:27PM1.37m | 00:46AM1.32m | 1:15PM1.34m | 1:34AM1.29m | 2:05PM1.32m | 2:23AM1.27m | 2:54PM1.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:16PM0.15m | 4:42AM0.14m | 5:05PM0.21m | 5:28AM0.20m | 5:52PM0.27m | 6:13AM0.26m | 6:39PM0.32m | 6:59AM0.30m | 7:27PM0.36m | 7:46AM0.33m | 8:16PM0.38m | 8:35AM0.34m | 9:07PM0.39m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 1 | -1 | -1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 10 | — | ESE 13 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 8 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 626 | 344 | — | 18 | 664 | 640 | 293 | 162 | 401 | 794 | 389 | 473 | 344 | 262 | 152 | 81 | 49 | 17 | 101 | 536 | 478 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | E 10 | — | — | SE 14 | — | SSW 13 | S 13 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | S 17 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 |
| kJ | 31 | 18 | — | — | 47 | — | 627 | 166 | 129 | 242 | 178 | 68 | 29 | 18 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 280 | 34 | 36 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 13 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | E 15 | E 14 | ESE 8 | NE 13 | N 8 | N 4 | ESE 13 | N 5 | NE 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 148 | 262 | 386 | 127 | 4 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 34 | 2 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 14 | S 8 | S 9 | — | — | — | NW 2 | W 3 | — | NW 3 | N 3 | NNW 3 | W 4 | W 4 | W 3 | WNW 3 |
| kJ | 809 | 3067 | 7156 | 6542 | 3696 | 3071 | 522 | 708 | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | 2 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 20 | 1 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 108 | 110 | 109 | 110 | 110 | 20 | 24 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 11 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 32 | 12 | 11 | 32 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Whangara Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Whangara provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Whangara can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Whangara 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 (Whangara) 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 Whangara 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 Whangara, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Gisborne and Mahia, consider staying in Gisborne which is 22 km (14 miles) away.
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