Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Issued: 11 am 07 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
14.3° C

Slightly cooler than normal

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


Whangara surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 10 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, SSE swell with 5,769 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period with ESE 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 10) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 11s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Thu 9th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 11th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 9AM (Fri 10th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what’s shaping up for us.

The next week and a bit at Whangara is a real mixed bag – some clean windows, but also some wild weather that’ll shut things down. The opening run in the first few days is the one to focus on, with a solid pulse of east swell and glassy conditions.

We kick off on Tuesday morning. The ocean’s throwing up a clean 5ft swell from the east, with a period of 9 seconds. The wind is glassy out of the WSW at just 3 mph, so the surface is gonna be like a mirror. Combined wave energy is moderate (527). The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is about average for this time of year – nothing to worry about. This is a decent start but nothing epic. Through Tuesday afternoon, the swell bumps up to 5ft, still glassy and clean.

Wednesday morning sees a jump in size to 6ft from the ESE, with a period of 10 seconds. However, the wind swings SW at 9 mph, creating a cross-shore chop. Conditions are marginal at best. The afternoon stays similar – not a write-off, but far from ideal.

Thursday morning is where we get a little clarity. A 5ft east swell with a clean cross-offshore breeze from the west at 6 mph. The wave energy is moderate (560). This is a nice little session for those who can get out before the rain and shifting winds ruin it in the afternoon. Friday is a complete loss – a massive 16ft swell from the SSE but with 25 mph south winds making it a total mess. That’s for experts only, and even then, it’ll be a battle. The combined energy is very strong (5769). Really this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

We get a little reprieve on Sunday morning. Swell drops to 6ft from the SE, and a light cross-offshore breeze cleans it up nicely (575). The period is steady at 10 seconds. After that, Monday the 13th of July sees a drop in size to 4ft, but with a light offshore from the NNW at only 3 mph. The waves will be small but clean. That’s the pick of the early days for a longboard or a fun session.

Now, let’s talk about the true standout. Wednesday the 15th of July. We’ve got an ESE groundswell of 6ft, but the period is a very long 16 seconds. Combined swell energy ramps up to strong (1360). With a steady offshore wind from the NW at 9 mph, this is looking excellent for experienced surfers. That long period energy will be peeling nicely at this beach-and-reef setup. Thursday the 16th of July carries on the goodness – 7ft from the ESE, 14-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze. Another one for the crew that knows their way around a longer-period swell. Both of those days are your best bets.

After that, the following weekend and into the new week fades out with smaller swells and more onshore wind. Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th are a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy, choppy conditions.

So, here’s the straight talk: Tuesday and Thursday of the first week are solid for clean, fun waves. The real gold is in the second half of the second week – the 15th and 16th of July – with that long-period groundswell and offshore winds. Don’t sleep on it. The rest of the run is for those who are happy to work for it or are happy to stay on the beach.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, strong winds from the SSW by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Fri morning, calm by Sun afternoon).

Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
3
2
0
0
0
0
!
2
0
1
2
1
2
2
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)
1.4
E
9
1.6
E
9
1.8
E
10
1.8
ESE
10
1.7
ESE
10
1.7
ESE
10
1.5
E
10
1.5
E
10
3
S
9
5
SSE
11
4.5
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
2.5
SE
10
2.3
SE
10
1.8
SE
10
1.7
SE
9
1.5
SE
9
1.3
ESE
9
1.1
SE
9
1.2
ESE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
327
436
666
667
586
598
459
468
1610
5769
3737
2495
1515
1431
968
575
481
365
276
174
213
Wind (km/h)
5
WSW
5
ESE
15
SW
15
SW
15
SSW
10
WSW
10
W
15
SSW
35
S
40
S
40
S
30
SSW
25
SSW
20
S
10
S
10
WSW
10
SSW
5
WNW
5
NNW
20
NNE
10
N
Wind State
glassy
glassy
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
10:59AM1.32m
11:18PM1.42m
11:47AM1.35m
00:06AM1.43m
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
Low Tide
5:10PM0.27m
5:43AM0.22m
5:58PM0.26m
6:29AM0.19m
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
clear
cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:59
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:01
5:02
 mm
1
1
11
7
2
2
2
1
1
Temp °C
12
13
11
12
13
10
13
13
13
12
11
10
11
11
10
9
10
10
12
13
12
Feels °C
11
12
9
9
9
7
10
10
8
4
3
2
6
6
7
6
7
8
8
9
9
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
E
9
1.6
E
9
1.8
E
10
1.8
ESE
10
1.7
ESE
10
1.7
ESE
10
1.5
E
10
3
S
11
1.3
ESE
10
0.3
SSW
19
0.3
SSW
18
0.5
SSW
16
0.3
SSW
16
2.5
SE
10
2.3
SE
10
1.8
SE
10
1.7
SE
9
1.5
SE
9
1.3
ESE
9
1.1
SE
9
1.2
ESE
9
Energy kJ
327
436
666
667
586
598
459
2095
342
69
61
138
48
1431
968
575
481
365
276
174
213
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
NNE
7
1.2
NNE
8
1.2
NNE
9
1
NNE
9
0.9
NNE
9
0.8
NNE
9
0.8
SSW
10
1.5
E
10
0.3
NNE
8
0.2
S
21
0.3
SSW
20
0.7
S
17
0.8
S
15
0.8
S
14
0.8
SSW
13
0.7
S
11
0.7
S
11
0.5
S
10
Energy kJ
114
158
207
141
124
86
128
468
11
36
75
290
287
264
229
127
110
49
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
NE
8
0.4
SSW
10
0.5
SSW
10
0.4
SSW
9
0.4
SSW
14
0.4
SSW
12
0.7
NNE
8
0.5
NNE
8
0.3
NE
8
0.2
SSW
21
0.3
SSW
15
0.3
SSW
10
0.7
S
8
0.1
NE
12
0.1
NE
12
0.5
ESE
11
0.1
NE
11
Energy kJ
86
42
56
28
62
52
61
38
10
45
44
22
55
6
5
68
5
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
4
0.9
SSW
4
0.5
SSW
8
1
SSW
5
3
S
9
5
SSE
11
4.5
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
10
0.5
NE
3
0.7
NNE
4
Energy kJ
10
24
33
40
1610
5769
3737
2495
1515
5
18
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
3
3
2
4
1
1
2
4
5
4
4
2
3
2
2
2
1
Distance (km)
0
0
17
17
28
0
0
28
108
110
110
51
40
51
24
0
24
0
0
11
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
4
4
6
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
2
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
7
9
8
9
7
7
6
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
9
9
7
5
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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