
Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, S swell with 1,179 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s 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 (Aug 08) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 2.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 8th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty, and I'm looking at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks. There's a bit of a wait, but there's a real ripper of a session on the horizon. Let's get into it.
We start off the run on Saturday, the 8th of August at Whangara. First up, Saturday morning is looking excellent – a solid 7ft S swell is rolling in with a 13-second period, packing a massive 1796 combined energy. The wind is light and offshore from the WNW, so it's going to be clean. The water temp is 57°, which is about average for this time of year. This is a setup for experienced surfers only, as that 7ft is a bit much for beginners. The afternoon turns a bit average with a cross-shore NE wind, so make the most of the morning.
Sunday, the 9th, hangs in there. The morning has a 5ft S swell with a 11-second period (800 energy) and a light cross-offshore NNW breeze, keeping things clean. The afternoon drops to 3ft from the SSE with a longer 14-second period (782 energy) and a light cross-offshore N wind, still clean. Not a standout, but a solid couple of days.
Monday the 10th through to Thursday the 14th sees the swell backing off. Monday morning has a small 3ft S swell, but it's clean. The rest of the week is a bit of a write-off with small, weak waves and onshore winds, mostly poor conditions. The swell just fades out.
Then, on Friday the 14th, we get a little pulse. The afternoon sees a 6ft NE swell with a short 7-second period (354 energy), but the wind goes glassy. It's a bit crumbly with that short period, but clean faces make it worth a look.
Now, the real standout is way out there, but it's worth the wait. On Saturday, the 22nd of August, the morning session at Whangara is the one to circle on the calendar. It's a powerful 8ft SSE swell with an 11-second period, cranking 1425 combined energy. The wind is glassy – dead flat calm from the NW. This is an expert-only zone at that size, and it's going to be a ripper. The afternoon gets a bit of a cross-onshore breeze, so get in early.
The following Sunday, the 23rd, is still pretty good with a 6ft SSE swell and clean conditions in the morning, but the Saturday is the clear winner.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a mixed bag with a good start and a few clean days, but the real gold is on Saturday the 22nd. It's a long way off, so the forecast could shift, but as it stands, that's the session to be stoked for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the NNE by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1298 | 1179 | 663 | 545 | 390 | 472 | 229 | 163 | 454 | 341 | 290 | 419 | 540 | 314 | 142 | 64 | 43 | 212 | 192 | 303 | 346 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 1:13PM1.49m | 1:36AM1.46m | 2:12PM1.52m | 2:36AM1.47m | 3:13PM1.56m | 3:37AM1.49m | 4:13PM1.59m | 4:38AM1.51m | 5:12PM1.63m | 5:37AM1.53m | 6:08PM1.65m | 6:34AM1.54m | 7:03PM1.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:28PM0.20m | 7:54AM0.13m | 8:28PM0.19m | 8:52AM0.11m | 9:29PM0.16m | 9:52AM0.09m | 10:31PM0.13m | 10:52AM0.06m | 11:31PM0.09m | 11:51AM0.03m | 00:29AM0.06m | 12:48PM0.02m | 1:24AM0.04m | ||||||||
7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | 8 | 1 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | S 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | NNE 7 | ESE 8 | NE 8 |
1298 | 1179 | 663 | 545 | 381 | 472 | 229 | 163 | 454 | 172 | 290 | 419 | 540 | 314 | 142 | 64 | 35 | 12 | 108 | 23 | 346 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 16 | SE 11 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | NE 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | SSE 12 | S 7 | NNE 7 | S 18 | NE 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | ENE 7 | ESE 14 | E 8 |
412 | 57 | 88 | 242 | 390 | 6 | 62 | 41 | 14 | 341 | 59 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 53 | 32 | 43 | 16 | 105 | 20 | 43 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | ENE 13 | SE 9 | E 13 | E 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | N 9 | N 8 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | NE 11 | SW 18 | S 16 | ESE 14 | S 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 8 | SSE 9 | ESE 13 |
86 | 17 | 21 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 17 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 8 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | N 6 | WSW 3 | — | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | — | NNE 7 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | 20 | 160 | 1 | — | 42 | 240 | 143 | — | 42 | 28 | 74 | 128 | 172 | 212 | 192 | 303 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 8 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 65 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











