Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.9° C
0.5° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period, S swell with 10,039 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 13s 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 5.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.5m 15s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Wed 29th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 13s
Best Surf12PM (Tue 4th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 4th Aug)16ft (5.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks around Whangara. This is a beach-and-reef setup that’s fairly exposed to the east-northeast, and it’s been picking up some solid energy. The water temp’s sitting about average for the time of year, so no major surprises there.

The first window of good surf kicks off Wednesday morning, 29 July. We’ve got a clean 7 ft swell rolling in from the southeast, with a 12-second period – that’s a nice groundswell, plenty of juice behind it. The wind’s a light cross-offshore from the west-northwest, so the face will be smooth. The combined energy is strong at 1327, so the paddle-out won’t be a battle, but the sets will have some punch. This is the standout of the week, no doubt about it.

Thursday morning, 30 July, is another solid shout. The swell drops a touch to 5 ft, still from the east-southeast, period at 12 seconds. Northwest wind, light cross-off, keeps it clean. Combined energy at 695 is moderate, but the quality is there.

Friday morning, 31 July, brings a bit of a change. Swell’s from the north at 6 ft, but the period is short – only 7 seconds – so it’ll be a bit more wind-swell, less grunt. Still, the wind is offshore from the northwest at 9 mph, so it’ll be clean and fun. Combined energy 720, moderate.

Saturday morning, 1 August, the swell drops right off to 2 ft, but the period is a whopping 16 seconds – that’s very long-period groundswell. At a beach-and-reef like Whangara, that can be a bit tricky; it might break too straight and be hard to get into. Light cross-off wind, clean, but it’s really small.

Then things get messy. Sunday, 2 August, is a write-off – strong winds, onshore, 13 ft of messy swell. Stay home.

Monday, 3 August, the swell settles back to 6 ft from the south, 11-second period. The wind is cross-off in the morning, so it’s clean, but the combined energy is moderate at 747. It’s surfable, but not the best.

Tuesday, 4 August, looks dicey with strong cross-winds and 10 ft swelling – lumpy, not great.

Now, for the second week, there are a couple of promising days but they come with a caveat. Wednesday morning, 5 August, shows a 13 ft swell from the south, 14-second period, with clean cross-off wind. The combined energy is huge at 5474 – that’s very strong. But that’s too big for this break. Only for experts, if anyone’s game. The wind and tide are favorable, but the size is the problem.

Thursday morning, 6 August, is similar – 12 ft from the south-southeast, 15-second period, clean cross-off, combined energy 5734. Same deal: too big for most.

Friday morning, 7 August, is the real highlight of the second week. Swell drops to 7 ft from the south-southeast, 12-second period, wind is light offshore from the north-northwest. Combined energy is 1287 – strong. This is clean, powerful, and much more manageable. This is the one to aim for if you can wait.

Saturday and Sunday mornings, 8 and 9 August, bring smaller swells (4 ft to 5 ft) but the wind stays cross-off or light. The energy is moderate, so it’s fun but not pumping.

From Monday, 10 August, through to the end of the forecast, it’s a long run of poor conditions – strong winds, onshore, and messy. Not worth paddling out.

So, bottom line: Wednesday morning, 29 July, is your best early bet, and Friday morning, 7 August, is the standout in the second week but keep in mind the long-range call is less certain. Crowds are possible at Whangara, so get in early.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Fri night, min 8°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
3
3
2
1
3
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SE
13
2.1
SE
12
2.1
ESE
12
1.9
ESE
12
1.6
ESE
12
1.4
ESE
11
1.3
ESE
11
1.9
N
7
0.9
ESE
11
0.7
ESE
11
0.6
SE
16
0.6
SE
16
0.6
SE
14
4
S
10
3.5
S
11
2.4
S
11
1.7
S
11
1.7
SSE
11
2
S
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1750
1327
1197
964
689
469
387
331
217
126
151
153
128
3364
2604
1354
682
619
441
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
5
WNW
15
NE
15
NW
10
NNW
15
NNW
20
N
15
NW
20
WNW
20
WNW
10
W
30
SW
35
S
40
S
35
SW
25
S
20
WSW
10
SSE
10
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
off
High Tide
5:23AM1.30m
5:52PM1.39m
6:09AM1.31m
6:37PM1.42m
6:54AM1.32m
7:20PM1.44m
7:38AM1.33m
8:02PM1.45m
8:21AM1.34m
8:43PM1.46m
9:05AM1.36m
9:25PM1.46m
Low Tide
11:21PM0.35m
11:34AM0.28m
00:09AM0.32m
12:21PM0.26m
00:55AM0.29m
1:06PM0.24m
1:40AM0.27m
1:50PM0.23m
2:23AM0.24m
2:33PM0.22m
3:06AM0.22m
3:17PM0.22m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:19
 mm
1
2
1
3
2
5
3
Temp °C
10
12
13
11
15
15
13
15
15
11
10
9
9
9
10
11
10
11
8
Feels °C
6
10
9
8
11
11
9
11
10
5
6
1
0
-1
-1
5
6
8
5
  • 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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