
Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, S swell with 585 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with S 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s 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 1.8m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 12AM. 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 14s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Whangara over the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, the first week and a half is pretty grim. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor or very ordinary conditions from the 11th right through to the morning of the 26th of September. There’s nothing worth paddling out for. Most of that time we’ve got tiny waves, inconsistent energy, and the wind is often messy. A few mornings clean up with a light cross-off or glassy conditions, but the swell just isn’t there – it’s flat or marginal. This is one of those quiet runs that feels like it’ll never end.
Now, let’s talk about the standout. The morning of Saturday the 26th of September is where it’s at. Whangara is a beach and reef setup, and we’ve got a solid 9.8ft swell rolling in from the south, with a period of 12 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is 2755, which is strong. This is a serious push of water. It’s going to be powerful, and at that size, it’s strictly for experienced surfers. Beginners, sit this one out. The wind is light out of the northwest at 6 mph, blowing offshore, so you’re looking at clean, lined-up waves. The swell direction is south, which isn’t the optimum ENE the spot prefers, but with that much size and good wind, the reef and point sections should handle it well – expect some nice, hollow corners. The afternoon on the 26th will still have size at 9.8ft, but the wind swings onshore from the NE, so it’ll get lumpy and less appealing. Make the most of that morning session.
Water temperature is sitting around 56.1°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
Crowds are possible at Whangara, but on a big south swell like this, the locals will be out but it’s not a zoo.
So, bottom line: you’ve got a long wait with barely a ripple, but the payoff on the 26th morning is real. Don’t sleep on that one.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 13 | SE 7 | NE 9 | SSW 5 | S 6 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | S 10 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 5 | NE 11 | NE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
60 | 19 | 39 | 87 | 85 | 80 | 53 | 23 | 585 | 22 | 22 | 12 | 13 | 247 | 184 | 109 | 78 | 38 | 28 | 19 | 19 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:49PM1.58m | 6:16AM1.51m | 6:41PM1.58m | 7:08AM1.52m | 7:30PM1.57m | 7:57AM1.52m | 8:18PM1.54m | 8:45AM1.51m | 9:05PM1.49m | 9:31AM1.49m | 9:51PM1.45m | 10:16AM1.45m | 10:36PM1.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:34AM0.10m | 00:09AM0.08m | 12:29PM0.09m | 1:00AM0.07m | 1:21PM0.10m | 1:49AM0.07m | 2:11PM0.11m | 2:36AM0.10m | 2:59PM0.15m | 3:22AM0.14m | 3:46PM0.19m | 4:06AM0.19m | 4:32PM0.24m | ||||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | S 15 | S 14 | NE 12 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 15 | S 5 |
34 | 54 | 39 | 99 | 459 | 2457 | 2412 | 23 | 585 | 1207 | 980 | 617 | 382 | 247 | 184 | 109 | 78 | 38 | 12 | 43 | 20 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | S 18 | S 18 | NE 8 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | ENE 8 | S 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 4 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | SSW 14 |
60 | 173 | 156 | 18 | 43 | 80 | 53 | 7 | 324 | 22 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 36 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SE 7 | NE 9 | NE 13 | NE 8 | SE 12 | N 10 | SE 11 | NE 12 | ENE 9 | E 8 | E 9 | NNE 11 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | NE 11 |
62 | 19 | 39 | 44 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | — | WNW 2 | SSW 5 | S 6 | — | — | S 14 | — | — | NE 2 | N 4 | — | — | N 4 | — | — | NNE 2 | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | — |
2 | — | 1 | 87 | 85 | — | — | 1762 | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 28 | 44 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 62 | 17 | 51 | 51 | 14 | 11 | 181 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 12 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










