Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, S swell with 502 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) 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 2.2m 13s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the Gizzy region, specifically Whangara.
Right now, things are quiet. We’ve got a gap of a few days with almost nothing worth paddling out for. The first real session to get keen on is the morning of Friday the 21st of August. Clean lines from the south, a solid 3ft with a very long period of 17 seconds – that’s real groundswell, lots of energy behind it (835). The wind is light offshore from the WNW, so it’ll be glassy. This is a proper morning session. Keep in mind that long-period south swell can run a bit straight on the beach, but Whangara’s a beach and reef setup, so the reef might line it up nicely. You’ll want to be alert for crowds though – it can get busy when it’s clean like this.
Friday arvo, the wind swings cross-shore from the ENE and the swell bumps up to 3ft, but the energy drops a touch (694). It’s not bad, but the morning is where it’s at.
Saturday the 22nd serves up a bit of a mixed bag. The morning is small at 2ft from the SE with a short period (9 seconds) and weak energy (43) – not worth the wetsuit. The afternoon looks better: 4ft south swell, 12-second period, moderate energy (419), with a clean offshore breeze from the WNW. That’s a good afternoon window, clean and rideable.
Sunday the 23rd is average. Both morning and afternoon have offshore wind, but the swell is small (3ft and 2ft) and the energy is low to moderate (187 and 113). Ordinary conditions – you’d be surfing but not writing home about it.
From Monday the 24th through to around Saturday the 29th of August, it’s mostly flat or just tiny windswell. Lots of days with swell under 1.0ft and poor energy levels – a real dry spell. Don’t bother.
Now, here’s the standout. Circle Monday the 31st of August on the calendar. That morning, Whangara is going to fire. We’ve got a solid 10ft south swell, very long period of 15 seconds, and the combined energy is massive – 4435. The wind is glassy, dead calm, with a slight air. This is big, clean, powerful groundswell. It’s for experienced surfers only – 10ft is too much for beginners. The long period means it’ll be lining up nicely on the reef, with longer waits between sets. If you’ve got the skills, this is the best session in the whole run. The afternoon stays big (10ft) but the wind goes cross-shore from the ENE, so the morning is the window.
Tuesday the 1st of September is still pumping – 6ft south swell, 12-second period, clean conditions in the morning with light cross-offshore wind. Energy is still high (1473). Good for experienced crew. The afternoon gets a messy cross-shore wind, so bag the morning.
Wednesday the 2nd brings another solid day: 7ft south swell, 12 seconds, clean in the morning with moderate energy (1313). That’s a big, clean day for those who know what they’re doing.
Thursday the 3rd settles a little to 4ft, but still with offshore winds and clean conditions – a more comfortable size for a broader range of surfers. Energy is moderate (571).
After that, it trails off again into small, ordinary surf through the end of the forecast.
So, the standout call is the morning of Monday the 31st of August at Whangara – big, glassy, powerful south groundswell. Don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | SE 9 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
148 | 346 | 502 | 185 | 39 | 387 | 237 | 146 | 73 | 17 | 34 | 35 | 35 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:58PM1.37m | 12:27PM1.37m | 00:46AM1.32m | 1:15PM1.34m | 1:34AM1.29m | 2:05PM1.32m | 2:23AM1.27m | 2:54PM1.32m | 3:13AM1.26m | 3:44PM1.33m | 4:02AM1.26m | 4:32PM1.35m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:13AM0.26m | 6:39PM0.32m | 6:59AM0.30m | 7:27PM0.36m | 7:46AM0.33m | 8:16PM0.38m | 8:35AM0.34m | 9:07PM0.39m | 9:23AM0.34m | 9:57PM0.37m | 10:13AM0.32m | 10:47PM0.35m | |||||||
— | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 9 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | N 4 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 18 | S 15 |
401 | 304 | 456 | 673 | 480 | 387 | 237 | 146 | 73 | 10 | 173 | 573 | 1254 | 454 | 291 | 181 | 98 | 516 | 371 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | S 16 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 10 | ESE 13 | S 17 | ESE 13 | NNE 4 | ESE 13 | S 15 | S 15 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 |
138 | 185 | 502 | 73 | 39 | 18 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 17 | 34 | 146 | 35 | 6 | 17 | 119 | 155 | 17 | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 17 | ESE 10 | S 16 | E 14 | E 14 | SE 11 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 9 | NNE 6 | ESE 13 | NNE 11 | ESE 13 | NNE 4 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
148 | 346 | 192 | 185 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 35 | 12 | 17 | 2 | 17 | 18 | 4 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | — | — | NNE 3 | NW 3 | — | WNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 4 | W 4 | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | WSW 2 | — | NNE 10 |
589 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 18 | 13 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 11 | 54 | 8 | 11 | 20 | 12 | 11 | 61 | 11 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











