Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.4°C
0.7° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, S swell with 1,649 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. 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 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Mon 14th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 11s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 14th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 11s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 14th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

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

First up, we’ve got a bit of a flat spell to kick things off. Sunday and Monday are a write-off with tiny, weak swell and messy wind, so don’t even bother. We’re looking at a few days of nothing worth paddling out for.

The first real glimmer shows up on Tuesday, September 15th. It’s still small, but the morning brings a clean 1ft south swell with a decent 11-second period and light offshore breeze. The energy is solid (475), and the break will be clean. Afternoon gets chopped by a NE breeze, so get it early. This is the pick of the first stretch – not huge, but fun on the beach-and-reef setup.

Wednesday and Thursday offer small, ordinary surf – clean but nothing to get excited about. The real standout arrives Friday, September 18th. The afternoon session is prime: a nice 1ft SE groundswell with a 12-second period, light offshore wind from the NW, and the wave energy is cooking (502). This will be well-shaped, clean, and have proper push. The break is fairly exposed to the ENE, and this S/SE swell is a good match. Crowds are possible here at Whangara, so expect some company.

The next morning, Saturday, September 19th, is also worth a look. Clean 0.9ft SE swell with light wind and 452 energy. Another solid morning session, but the afternoon gets ruined by a strong cross-onshore wind.

After that, we hit another quiet stretch. The next real standout is a long way out – Thursday, September 25th. Thursday morning has a big 3ft south swell rolling in. This is expert territory at that size, but the wind is glassy and it’s clean. The energy is massive (1229). This is a serious groundswell with a 9-second period, so it won’t have the long period perfection of a point break, but for a beach-and-reef setup, this is a raw power day. Only for experienced surfers though.

For the rest of the second week, it trails off into small, average conditions. September 27th has a small SE swell with clean offshore wind, but it’s nothing to write home about.

So, if you’re looking for the best on offer: Tuesday morning, September 15th, for a fun, clean small-wave session, and Friday afternoon, September 18th, for the best combination of size, shape, and clean conditions. The big glassy 3ft day on September 25th is a monster but only for the crew who can handle it.

Stay safe, keep your head on a swivel, and don’t force a flat spell.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
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
4
0
0
3
2
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
2.4
S
11
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
1.7
S
12
1.4
S
11
1.1
SSE
10
1
S
9
0.6
SE
10
0.9
SE
9
0.7
SE
9
0.8
SE
10
0.7
SE
9
0.7
SE
15
1.3
SE
13
1.2
SE
12
1.1
SE
12
0.9
SE
11
1.1
NNE
9
0.9
NNE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
39
23
1317
22
22
789
451
245
169
79
118
77
144
87
226
552
430
314
182
181
133
Wind (km/h)
15
W
25
S
10
WSW
5
NW
10
NE
5
N
5
N
20
NE
15
NW
10
NNW
10
ENE
15
WNW
15
WNW
15
NE
10
NNW
25
NNE
10
NW
15
WNW
15
W
5
SSE
10
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
on
cross-off
High Tide
7:30PM1.57m
7:57AM1.52m
8:18PM1.54m
8:45AM1.51m
9:05PM1.49m
9:31AM1.49m
9:51PM1.45m
10:16AM1.45m
10:36PM1.39m
11:01AM1.41m
11:21PM1.34m
11:48AM1.37m
00:08AM1.30m
Low Tide
1:21PM0.10m
1:49AM0.07m
2:11PM0.11m
2:36AM0.10m
2:59PM0.15m
3:22AM0.14m
3:46PM0.19m
4:06AM0.19m
4:32PM0.24m
4:51AM0.24m
5:18PM0.29m
5:35AM0.29m
6:04PM0.33m
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:09
6:07
6:05
6:05
6:03
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:57
5:58
5:59
6:00
 mm
Temp °C
15
14
10
10
11
11
14
14
12
16
16
11
17
16
12
17
18
11
14
13
12
Feels °C
10
9
6
9
8
10
10
10
10
13
13
8
14
12
9
14
16
8
11
11
10
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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