Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 09 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
14.4° C
0.4° 

Whangara surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Whangara surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, S swell with 4,325 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period with SE 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 9s 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Sun 12th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 9s
Best Surf 9AM (Sun 12th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 9s
Most Powerful 9PM (Thu 9th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.


Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s happening at Whangara.

Right off the bat, it’s a rough start. The first few days are a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy, messy surf. You’re looking at a solid gap of poor conditions from Thursday the 9th all the way through to Saturday the 11th. The swell is big and chunky – up to 13 feet on Friday (10th) – but with that 22 mph wind, it’s just a blown-out mess. Not worth a paddle.

Things finally start to clean up on Sunday the 12th. The morning shows some promise with a light offshore breeze and a 6-foot swell from the southeast. The energy is moderate (464), and it’s clean. That’s your first real window. It’s not huge, but it’s rideable and the wind is right. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, not a standout.

The next couple of days, Monday and Tuesday (13th and 14th), are small and weak. Swell drops under 3 feet, and while the mornings are clean, there’s just not enough push. The energy drops into double digits (170 to 90). It’s a lull.

Then we get a bit of a treat. Wednesday the 15th morning is glassy with a 2-foot swell, but the real highlight comes on Thursday the 16th morning. The swell is still small at 3 feet, but the period jumps to 14 seconds – proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is 291 – moderate – and the wind is light offshore. That’s clean, lined-up, and punchy for its size. This is the best of the first week. Expect a bit of a wait between sets, but the wave shape will be nice.

Now, looking further out, Saturday the 18th morning is a standout for experienced surfers. Swell is 8 feet from the southeast with a 13-second period, and the wind is light offshore. That’s powerful, clean, and pushing moderate energy (1963). It’s a bit much for beginners, but if you’ve got the skills, that’s the session to circle. The Sunday the 19th morning is also solid with 6 feet and an offshore breeze, though the energy is a bit less (1049).

Heads up for Monday the 20th – the swell is predicted to get too big for Whangara. 13 feet in the morning and 16 feet in the afternoon, with northeast wind. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, the break might be maxed out. The setup could be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The very end of the run, Wednesday the 24th morning, is small and glassy with a 3-foot swell and 11-second period. It’s only surfable, but the glassy conditions make it worth a look if you’re keen for a longboard.

All in all, the best on offer is Thursday the 16th morning for clean, small groundswell, and then Saturday the 18th morning for the bigger, more powerful stuff. Don’t bother with the first week’s stormy mess.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Thu night, light winds from the SW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
2
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
10
3.5
S
10
4.5
S
11
4.5
SSE
10
4
SSE
10
2.4
ESE
10
2.5
SE
10
2.3
SE
9
1.7
SE
9
1.7
SE
9
1.4
SE
9
1.2
ESE
9
1
ESE
9
0.9
ESE
8
0.7
ESE
8
0.8
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
8
0.4
ESE
10
0.6
ESE
10
0.6
ESE
10
0.7
ESE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
459
2994
4238
3692
2871
1050
1185
931
502
461
300
226
165
126
58
79
34
31
77
75
83
Wind (km/h)
35
S
35
S
30
SSE
35
SSE
35
S
25
SSW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
SW
10
WSW
5
S
10
NW
10
NNW
20
NNE
10
N
10
N
25
NNE
15
NNW
5
W
5
E
10
NW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
High Tide
12:38PM1.39m
00:59AM1.44m
1:34PM1.44m
1:55AM1.46m
2:31PM1.50m
2:54AM1.49m
3:31PM1.56m
3:54AM1.52m
4:30PM1.62m
4:54AM1.55m
5:29PM1.67m
5:53AM1.57m
6:27PM1.70m
Low Tide
6:50PM0.25m
7:20AM0.16m
7:46PM0.22m
8:14AM0.13m
8:45PM0.19m
9:11AM0.10m
9:46PM0.16m
10:10AM0.06m
10:47PM0.11m
11:09AM0.02m
11:48PM0.07m
12:08PM-0.01m
00:47AM0.04m
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:01
5:02
5:02
5:04
 mm
5
5
18
3
2
1
2
3
Temp °C
13
13
13
12
12
10
10
11
11
11
12
9
12
13
11
14
14
12
14
14
12
Feels °C
6
7
8
5
5
3
5
6
7
8
9
8
9
9
8
10
9
8
13
12
10
  • 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 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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