Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.3°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 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, S swell with 1,814 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s is also forecast. 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 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9PM. 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 13s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 28th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 28th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 9PM (Thu 27th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next 16 days at Whangara are a mixed bag with a few flickers of hope, but you gotta pick your moments. The first week is mostly flat and ordinary, then we get a serious pulse of energy that’s more for the experienced crew.

We kick off Wednesday the 26th of August with pretty much nothing. Tiny little 1ft swell from the southeast, period a marginal 13 seconds, and combined energy is a weak 43. Not worth paddling out. That sets the tone for a few days. Thursday and Friday mornings are also flat and disappointing. The water temp is around 56°, which is 2° cooler than average – so it’s a bit chillier than normal for this time of year, but nothing crazy.

Finally, on Friday afternoon the 28th, things start to breathe. A south swell rolls in at 4ft, period 13 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to a moderate 579. Winds are light cross-off from the NNW, so it’s clean but not epic. The waves are surfable but ordinary. Saturday morning the 29th sees a similar 3ft south swell with moderate energy at 294, again with light cross-off winds. It’s clean, but the waves are just average. We’ve got a long gap of flatness after that until mid-week.

Now, the real standout is Tuesday the 1st of September. This is a beast of a day. We’re looking at a 12ft south swell with a 12-13 second period, but the combined energy is an enormous 3567 to 4074 – that’s a serious amount of power. The wind is light and cross-shore, so the surface should be relatively tidy. But listen – this is expert-only territory. At over 8ft and with that much energy, it’s too big for beginners. The wave comment says it’s predicted to be too big for this break, so if you’re not a seasoned charger, give it a miss. This is a true standout for the heavy crew.

The next best window is Wednesday afternoon the 2nd of September. A 8ft south groundswell with a very long 16-second period, combined energy at 2581. Winds are moderate offshore from the WNW, which will groom the faces nicely. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but again, at 8ft with that period, it’s powerful and best suited to point or reef setups, as beachies might get a bit straight. Still a solid option.

After that, it trails off into small, weak surf with poor conditions through to the 10th of September. Light onshore winds, messy waves, not much to get excited about. The second week looks like a bust.

Only two days stand out: Tuesday the 1st of September for the big-wave crew, and Wednesday afternoon the 2nd for experienced surfers wanting a powerful, clean groundswell. For everyone else, it’s a quiet run.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Wed
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
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
0
0
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SE
13
0.4
SE
12
0.2
ESE
12
0.3
ESE
11
1.8
S
16
1.5
S
14
1.3
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
12
0.9
S
11
1.4
NNE
7
1.1
NNE
8
0.8
NNE
8
0.9
NE
9
0.6
NNE
9
0.7
NNE
9
0.4
NNE
10
0.6
NE
10
0.6
NE
10
0.5
NE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
42
38
13
24
1647
804
551
347
220
205
220
161
67
107
52
75
37
79
73
41
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
15
WNW
10
SW
15
ESE
20
NNE
15
N
15
NNW
15
N
10
N
15
NNE
10
WNW
20
W
5
N
35
W
20
SW
10
SSE
20
WNW
15
WNW
20
NE
20
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
4:32PM1.35m
4:51AM1.28m
5:18PM1.39m
5:38AM1.31m
6:03PM1.42m
6:24AM1.34m
6:47PM1.45m
7:09AM1.38m
7:31PM1.47m
7:54AM1.42m
8:14PM1.49m
8:39AM1.45m
8:59PM1.50m
Low Tide
10:47PM0.35m
11:01AM0.29m
11:36PM0.31m
11:48AM0.26m
00:22AM0.26m
12:35PM0.23m
1:07AM0.22m
1:21PM0.20m
1:51AM0.18m
2:07PM0.18m
2:35AM0.15m
2:53PM0.17m
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:44
 mm
8
Temp °C
17
15
15
13
12
17
17
13
17
16
14
15
16
14
8
10
12
16
17
13
Feels °C
13
12
13
10
9
13
14
10
14
13
9
12
14
8
3
7
8
14
13
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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