Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, S swell with 416 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 15s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks at Whangara without the modern tape measure.
The start is flat as a pancake – nothing worth getting wet for until Monday the 7th of September. That morning brings a 3ft swell out of the NNE with 9-second intervals, and a light offshore wind out of the NW keeps it clean. The combined energy is 104 – moderate – but it’s pretty average, just enough to mess around on.
The first real standout lands on Wednesday the 9th of September, first thing. We get 5ft of S swell at 9 seconds, glassy with a dead calm wind from the north. That’s about as clean as it gets, and with combined energy hitting 434, there’s proper oomph behind it. Whangara is a beach and reef setup that likes ENE swell best, so the S direction isn’t perfect, but when the surface is that smooth and the energy’s pumping, you’d be a fool to miss it. Water temp is 56°, pretty standard for this time of year.
The second standout is a monster. Wednesday the 16th of September shows 16ft of S swell with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is 8033 – that’s heavy, heavy power. But here’s the rub: that’s too big for this break. The morning has light offshore NW wind, so it’d be clean, but 16-foot waves at Whangara are strictly for the pros. The afternoon stays glassy with 16ft at 13 seconds (8749 energy). Thursday the 17th stays massive at 13ft with 8966 energy, but by afternoon it’s dropped to 10ft and the wind swings cross-onshore from the south, making it lumpy.
In between, Tuesday the 8th afternoon goes glassy but only 3ft with a short 6-second period – not enough push. Saturday the 12th morning has 5ft S swell at 10 seconds (442 energy) but cross-shore wind from the east means it’s bumpy.
So, if you’ve got a window, Wednesday the 9th morning is your best bet for clean chest-to-head-high waves. That huge swell mid-month is for the brave and only the brave. Most other days are small or messy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 18 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 11 | NNE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 10 | NNE 4 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | N 6 | NNE 9 | SSW 6 | N 9 | NE 16 | NNE 6 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
515 | 21 | 14 | 4 | 36 | 11 | 11 | 49 | 30 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 247 | 101 | 265 | 41 | 10 | 82 | 362 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:25AM1.48m | 9:46PM1.50m | 10:13AM1.50m | 10:35PM1.49m | 11:04AM1.51m | 11:27PM1.48m | 11:59AM1.52m | 00:23AM1.46m | 12:56PM1.52m | 1:22AM1.45m | 1:57PM1.53m | 2:23AM1.44m | 2:57PM1.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:41PM0.16m | 4:06AM0.13m | 4:31PM0.17m | 4:54AM0.13m | 5:23PM0.17m | 5:46AM0.13m | 6:17PM0.18m | 6:41AM0.14m | 7:15PM0.19m | 7:38AM0.14m | 8:15PM0.18m | 8:37AM0.14m | 9:16PM0.17m | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 17 | 11 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 16 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | NNE 4 | SW 5 | SSW 8 | NNE 4 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | N 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
2060 | 1359 | 2012 | 1104 | 726 | 327 | 151 | 49 | 5 | 7 | 90 | 11 | 97 | 56 | 55 | 23 | 59 | 891 | 586 | 379 | 362 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 17 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 11 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 10 | S 9 | NNE 3 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | S 16 | N 9 | NE 16 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 |
515 | 1326 | 14 | 3 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 39 | 30 | 15 | 10 | 54 | 1 | 62 | 28 | 27 | 20 | 41 | 10 | 82 | 35 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | — | N 11 | NE 11 | N 11 | SE 11 | N 10 | ENE 10 | N 8 | NNE 5 | S 15 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | S 16 | NE 16 | NE 15 | NE 15 |
13 | — | 10 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 9 | — | — | NNE 10 | NNW 2 | N 3 | N 4 | WNW 3 | W 3 | NE 2 | NNE 4 | WNW 2 | NNE 4 | N 6 | NNE 9 | SSW 6 | — | N 4 | — | W 3 |
— | 21 | — | — | 36 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 20 | 247 | 101 | 265 | — | 29 | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 115 | 54 | 64 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











