Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 14 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
14.6° C
0.0° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s period, ESE swell with 1,571 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s 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 1.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 6PM. 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 13s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 14th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 10s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 17th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Most Powerful 6PM (Fri 17th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Hey, Rusty here again, this time in feet and degrees Fahrenheit. Let’s break down Whangara over the next couple of weeks. Water’s about 58° right now, right where it should be for this time of year.

First few days are flat and forgettable. Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th – tiny, weak surf, not worth a mention. Thursday the 16th starts to show some life: morning has a 2-foot ESE groundswell with a 15-second period, light offshore wind. Small but clean. Afternoon picks up to 3 feet, same direction, 17-second period, still offshore. The energy reading (551) says there’s some juice. Good for a longboard.

Friday the 17th morning is the first real highlight: 6 feet ESE groundswell at 15 seconds, light west-southwest cross-off wind, clear. Energy 1450 – that’s a solid groundswell. This is for experienced surfers only – over 5 feet and a bit off the ideal direction. Afternoon goes onshore, so hit it early. Saturday the 18th morning is also solid: 6 feet ESE, 14-second period, light north cross-off, clean. Shoulder-high and well-formed.

Then the funk sets in. From Sunday the 19th through Saturday the 25th – cross-onshore winds, lumpy, rainy, and pretty much unsurfable. That’s a full week of junk. Kite surfers might have fun, but for paddle surfing, it’s a bust.

Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th see the swell jack up to 18 feet and then 16 feet – way too big for Whangara. The comments say it’s too big for the break, so only the most insane locals should even look at it.

Second week brings another good window: Tuesday the 28th morning – 8 feet ESE, 10-second period, west wind cross-off, clean. Energy 1708. That’s powerful and for experts only. Wednesday the 29th morning also delivers: 7 feet SE, 10-second period, offshore west-northwest wind, clean. Both mornings look excellent, but keep in mind it’s a ways out – forecasts can change.

Bottom line: Friday July 17 and Tuesday July 28 are your best bets. Crowds can build when it’s good, so plan accordingly.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon).

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
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
1
1
0
1
1
2
3
4
1
4
3
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ESE
8
0.4
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
12
0.5
E
11
0.5
E
10
0.4
ESE
13
0.7
ESE
15
1
ESE
17
1.6
ESE
16
1.8
ESE
15
1.8
ESE
15
1.9
ESE
15
1.7
ESE
14
1.7
ESE
14
1.4
SE
14
1.3
ESE
13
2.1
S
8
2
S
11
1.8
S
11
1.8
S
11
1.4
SSE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
46
25
79
61
56
56
222
543
1230
1450
1507
1529
1244
1049
743
572
625
881
755
714
300
Wind (km/h)
15
N
10
N
10
NNW
10
WNW
5
NE
15
NW
15
NW
20
WNW
15
WSW
10
WSW
15
S
10
WNW
10
N
10
NE
10
SSW
25
SSW
30
SSE
15
SSE
15
SE
10
SE
10
ESE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
5:29PM1.67m
5:53AM1.57m
6:27PM1.70m
6:51AM1.58m
7:23PM1.72m
7:48AM1.58m
8:18PM1.70m
8:44AM1.56m
9:11PM1.67m
9:39AM1.52m
10:04PM1.61m
10:33AM1.49m
10:55PM1.54m
Low Tide
11:09AM0.02m
11:48PM0.07m
12:08PM-0.01m
00:47AM0.04m
1:06PM-0.02m
1:45AM0.01m
2:03PM-0.02m
2:41AM0.01m
2:58PM0.01m
3:35AM0.02m
3:52PM0.06m
4:26AM0.06m
4:44PM0.12m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:02
5:04
5:05
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
 mm
2
3
13
4
Temp °C
14
15
13
16
17
13
15
14
14
12
12
10
13
13
11
12
12
11
11
11
11
Feels °C
11
13
11
14
16
10
11
10
11
9
8
8
11
11
8
7
6
6
7
8
7
  • 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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