Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a 16-day window for Whangara, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The windows of opportunity are there, but you’ve got to pick your moments.

The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is just about bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real chance for a surf kicks off on Thursday, August 6th. The morning looks clean with a light WSW breeze at 12 mph, giving us a cross-offshore wind. There’s a 10ft S swell pushing through, which is a lot of water – the energy is strong (2097). That size is going to be for experienced surfers only, as it’s well over the 8ft mark. The afternoon holds a 7ft SSE swell, but the wind goes cross-shore and it gets a bit lumpy, so the morning is the pick of that day.

Friday, August 7th morning is a silver lining. The wind is a whisper-light WNW at 3 mph, making it a clean, cross-offshore breeze. You’ve got a 5ft SE swell with a long 12-second period. The energy is still high (1006), but the conditions are expected to be very good. This is a solid option for a wide range of surfers.

Now, the standout window is Saturday, August 8th. This is the one to circle. The morning has a 6ft S swell, but the wind is a clean offshore from the NW at 9 mph. The energy is pumping (1417), and the conditions are dialled for experienced surfers. The afternoon holds up nicely too, with a 6ft S swell and lighter offshore NW wind at 6 mph. The direction is perfect for Whangara, and the crowd factor is only “sometimes,” so you might get a few waves to yourself.

Sunday, August 9th is still worth a paddle. The morning has a 4ft S swell with a nice offshore NW breeze at 16 mph, and the afternoon steps it up with a 3ft SSE swell but a very long 15-second period, giving it that extra grunt. The wind is offshore from the WNW, keeping it clean.

The forecast gets a bit messy from Monday, August 10th through to Wednesday, August 12th. Strong onshore winds and rain ruin the quality, with a couple of days of heavy rain and strong breezes. The swell is big, but the wind is on it, making it a write-off for paddle surfing.

We get a reprieve on Thursday, August 13th morning. The wind goes glassy, with a light 5ft SE swell. It’s small, but that glassy surface is a treat. The energy is moderate (493), and it’s worth a dawny if you’re keen on a log or a fish.

Friday, August 14th morning is more of the same – glassy conditions and a 4ft SE swell. It’s small, clean, and fun for the right equipment.

Saturday, August 15th afternoon is a bit of a curveball. The wind goes glassy, but the swell swings to a 7ft ENE with a short 7-second period. That’s a lot of energy for a short-period swell, making it a bit crumbly. It’s a punt, but if you’re desperate, it’s there.

Now, from Sunday, August 16th onwards, things get wild. The swell pumps up to 13ft to 16ft, and the energy readings are massive (3000 to 5000+). The wind is often cross-off or clean, but the size is way beyond what’s manageable for normal surfing. This is purely for the big-wave chargers, and even then, it’s going to be a beast. The wind and tide look favorable, but the sheer volume of water makes it a specialist-only game.

So, the best on offer is Saturday, August 8th. The 6ft S swell with clean offshore NW wind, coupled with the strong wave energy, is the clear winner. The Friday, August 7th morning and Sunday, August 9th are your backup days.

Rusty.

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