Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 31 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
14.0° C
0.3° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, S swell with 6,445 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period with N 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 (Jul 31) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.5m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 11s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Fri 31st Jul)5ft (1.5m) 7s
Best Surf 3PM (Tue 4th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 6PM (Tue 4th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer around Whangara. This is a beach and reef set-up, fairly exposed to the swell, and it’s got a pretty decent run of clean conditions coming up, but the real standouts are going to be for the more experienced crew. The water temp is sitting at 57.2°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing to shock the system.

We kick off on Friday, 31 July, with a bit of a tease. A 3.3ft ESE swell, period 11 seconds, and a 12.4 mph offshore wind from the NW. Combined wave energy is moderate (288). It’s clean, but it’s not a standout. That same pattern holds into Friday afternoon, with a touch more energy (510) but still just a 3.0ft swell. It’s a nice little intro, but not the main event.

Saturday, 1 August is a write-off. Swell drops to 2.0ft, period 16 seconds, but the wind swings to a 18.6 mph cross-shore from the SW. Combined energy is still moderate (243), but the chop is lumpy. No good.

Sunday, 2 August sees a massive jump in swell: 9.8ft from the S, period 12 seconds, and combined energy roaring to 2492 (strong). The wind is a gentle 9.3 mph cross-off from the WSW, so it’s clean. But this is a big one – over 8.2ft – so it’s only for the experts. The tide might be a factor too, so keep that in mind. Monday, 3 August keeps the S swell running at 5.6ft, period 10 seconds, with a cross-off wind WNW at 15.5 mph. It’s clean again, but now the energy is moderate (655). Monday afternoon the wind drops to 3.1 mph, making it even cleaner, but the swell drops to 4.3ft. Still, a solid option for a paddle.

Tuesday, 4 August is a mixed bag. Morning sees a 6.6ft S swell but with a 18.6 mph cross-shore, which is lumpy. The afternoon, though, is where it gets interesting. It’s a 11.5ft S swell, period 15 seconds, and combined energy is a massive 5518. The wind is a moderate cross-shore from the SW at 12.4 mph. The file says the swell is too big for this break, so it’s a no-go for all but the most experienced. And with that long period, it might be a bit straight at the beach, but the reef might handle it.

Wednesday, 5 August continues with a 8.2ft S swell, period 14 seconds, but the wind is cross-shore at 15.5 mph. Energy is strong (2668 in the morning, 3620 in the afternoon). Still, it’s lumpy and not the best.

Thursday, 6 August is a nice change. A 3.9ft SSE swell, period 12 seconds, with a light 6.2 mph cross-off from the W. Clean and with moderate energy (395). The afternoon turns onshore, so stick to the morning.

Friday, 7 August is a glassy morning. The wind is dead calm, 0 mph, and the swell is 3.9ft from the SSE, period 10 seconds. Combined energy is moderate (310). Perfect for a long session. The afternoon has a light cross-on, so it’s not as good.

Saturday, 8 August brings a 2.6ft S swell, period 16 seconds, with a light cross-off from the N. Clean, but on the small side. Energy is moderate (392). Not a standout, but a fun little wave.

Sunday, 9 August sees a 4.3ft NNE swell, period 8 seconds, and a light cross-off. Clean, but the short period means it’s a bit weak. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 4.9ft but with a stronger wind, so it’s blown out.

Now, look ahead to Monday, 10 August. This is a big one. A 8.2ft NE swell, period 11 seconds, with a fresh cross-off from the NNE at 21.7 mph. Combined energy is strong (1497). The afternoon sees it ramp up to 11.5

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Sun afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon night).

Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
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
0
0
0
0
3
2
3
1
2
0
0
!
!
1
2
4
2
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
ESE
11
0.9
ESE
11
0.7
ESE
11
0.6
SE
16
0.6
SE
16
0.6
SE
14
3
S
12
2.5
S
11
2
S
11
1.7
S
10
1.3
S
10
0.9
SSE
10
2
S
8
3.5
S
15
3.5
S
14
2.5
S
14
2.5
S
14
2.5
S
13
1.2
SSE
12
1.3
SSE
11
1.2
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
263
217
126
151
151
125
2338
1540
935
633
339
140
477
5495
4494
2647
2334
2107
359
346
292
Wind (km/h)
20
NW
20
NW
15
W
30
SW
35
SW
30
SW
15
WSW
15
SSW
10
NW
25
WNW
5
WSW
25
WNW
30
SSW
20
SW
25
SW
25
SW
25
SW
15
W
10
W
10
SSE
10
WNW
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
on
off
High Tide
7:20PM1.44m
7:38AM1.33m
8:02PM1.45m
8:21AM1.34m
8:43PM1.46m
9:05AM1.36m
9:25PM1.46m
9:49AM1.38m
10:08PM1.46m
10:35AM1.40m
10:54PM1.46m
11:24AM1.43m
11:44PM1.46m
Low Tide
1:06PM0.24m
1:40AM0.27m
1:50PM0.23m
2:23AM0.24m
2:33PM0.22m
3:06AM0.22m
3:17PM0.22m
3:48AM0.20m
4:02PM0.22m
4:31AM0.18m
4:49PM0.22m
5:17AM0.17m
5:38PM0.22m
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:21
5:22
 mm
1
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
16
15
11
8
9
9
10
11
9
14
16
12
10
10
8
8
9
8
9
9
8
Feels °C
11
11
6
1
1
1
6
7
5
10
13
6
3
4
3
1
3
3
6
5
5
  • 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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