Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.5° C
0.8° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NE swell with 1,693 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 11s. 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sun 9th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Best Surf12PM (Sat 15th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Most Powerful12PM (Sat 15th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 9s

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 coming up for us.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the first real standout is shaping up for Sunday the 9th of August. Whangara (beach and reef) is looking clean with a solid 5ft swell from the S, period at 11 seconds, and a light cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate (803), and the water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about average for this time of year. That Sunday morning session is the pick of the early window – clean, good energy, and the wind is just right.

Monday the 10th holds a smaller, cleaner option in the morning with 3ft swell from the S and a nice offshore from the WNW. It’s a gentler day, but still worth a paddle if you’re keen. The swell energy drops off a bit (367), so it’s more of a fun-sized wave.

Things get a little messy from Tuesday the 11th through to Thursday the 13th. Swell hangs around 3ft to 4ft, but the wind shifts around and the quality drops. The wave energy stays moderate (200-300 range), but it’s inconsistent and the conditions aren’t doing us any favours. A few clean windows pop up, but nothing that’ll get the heart racing.

Now, the real firecracker is Saturday the 15th of August. The afternoon session is a beauty – 10ft swell from the NE, solid offshore from the WNW, and a combined energy reading of 2643, which is strong. This is expert territory though – over 8ft, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. If you’ve got the skill, this is the best wave of the forecast period. The morning is also decent with 7ft from the E, but the afternoon is the standout.

Hold on, because Monday the 17th turns into a beast. Swell hits 13ft from the S, but it’s too big for this break. Strong cross-shore winds and a massive energy reading of 4402 – this is more of a spectacle than a surf session. Not recommended for anyone.

The following week brings a couple of gems. Wednesday the 19th of August – morning session – 8ft from the S, period 15 seconds, light cross-offshore, and the energy is through the roof at 4934. That’s a very long-period groundswell, so it’ll be better at a point or reef, but with clean conditions, it’s a serious wave for experienced surfers. Thursday the 20th morning is glassy, 8ft from the S, period 14 seconds – also excellent. Both of these are expert-level waves.

The end of the run, Monday the 24th of August, offers a glassy morning session with 7ft from the SE, period 12 seconds, and a clean, calm surface. That’s a solid, clean wave for experienced surfers, and the energy is moderate (1375). A nice way to close out the period.

Overall, the best on offer is Saturday the 15th afternoon, and Wednesday the 19th morning. Both are punchy, clean, and full of energy. Don’t expect much in the middle of the second week – it’s inconsistent and choppy. Forecasts can change, but for now, mark those dates.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Wed night, fresh winds from the NE by Fri night).

Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
1
1
0
0
1
2
1
2
2
1
0
1
0
0
3
4
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
S
11
1.3
S
11
1
S
11
1
S
11
0.9
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
12
0.8
SSE
12
1.1
SSE
11
1.3
S
10
1.3
SSE
8
1.7
SE
10
1.3
SE
9
1
SE
9
0.9
SE
8
1.3
NE
6
1.6
NE
7
1.5
NE
7
3
ENE
8
2.1
NNE
9
3
NE
9
1.5
ENE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
545
384
229
229
167
344
174
280
332
206
592
294
152
115
118
213
206
926
693
1507
354
Wind (km/h)
10
N
15
NNE
10
N
15
WNW
10
SE
10
SW
15
WSW
15
SSW
5
ESE
5
NNE
20
NE
10
N
10
N
20
NNE
25
NE
20
NNE
25
NE
35
NE
15
N
20
WNW
20
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
on
cross
cross-off
cross
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross
High Tide
2:12PM1.52m
2:36AM1.47m
3:13PM1.56m
3:37AM1.49m
4:13PM1.59m
4:38AM1.51m
5:12PM1.63m
5:37AM1.53m
6:08PM1.65m
6:34AM1.54m
7:03PM1.66m
7:29AM1.55m
7:55PM1.65m
Low Tide
8:28PM0.19m
8:52AM0.11m
9:29PM0.16m
9:52AM0.09m
10:31PM0.13m
10:52AM0.06m
11:31PM0.09m
11:51AM0.03m
00:29AM0.06m
12:48PM0.02m
1:24AM0.04m
1:42PM0.03m
2:17AM0.03m
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
mod rain
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
6:58
6:58
6:56
6:56
6:54
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:30
 mm
11
2
1
10
1
11
1
1
2
Temp °C
12
13
12
14
15
11
12
13
11
12
12
10
13
13
14
15
14
14
15
16
14
Feels °C
9
10
10
12
12
9
8
9
8
8
8
7
10
9
12
12
11
10
14
13
11
  • 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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