Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, S swell with 1,458 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 18s 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) 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 5.0m 13s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for our local stretch over the next couple of weeks.
Right now, we’re in a flat spell. There’s nothing worth paddling out for on Wednesday or Thursday, and the whole weekend is looking pretty dead too. We’re talking about a gap of several days with no real surf on offer. You’re not missing a thing until next week.
The first real glimmer of action hits on Monday the 7th of September. A new pulse of swell arrives overnight, and by Monday morning at Whangara, we’ve got a clean 5ft wave coming from the north with a short, snappy 9-second period. The combined energy is solid (601) and the wind is light offshore from the NNW. It’s not a classic groundswell, but for a beach and reef setup, it’ll offer some fun, punchy walls. The onshore comes into play by the afternoon, so get it early.
But the standout, the one you want to circle on the calendar, is Thursday the 10th of September. Whangara is going to fire. Early morning we get a clean, light north wind with a solid 8ft south swell at 10 seconds. The energy rating is massive (1475). This is for experienced surfers only—anything over 8 feet gets serious quickly here. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so a 3/2 will do you fine. Expect long, racing lines that wrap into the bay. The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so with this much size, you’ll have plenty of room if you’ve got the skills.
The setup looks less interesting for the paddle crew after that. We get a messy cross-onshore on Friday and a lumpy, windy weekend. By Tuesday the 15th, though, the offshore wind returns from the WNW with a 5ft northerly swell—another good session for the mid-week crew, with clean, moderate energy (431).
So, bottom line: suffer through the dead spell, get out Monday morning for a warm-up, and don’t miss Thursday the 10th if you’ve got the experience. That’s the winner.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | S 18 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 11 | NE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 18 | NE 10 | N 9 | NNE 9 | N 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
31 | 515 | 32 | 13 | 4 | 28 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 30 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 26 | 4 | 398 | 147 | 43 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 9:25AM1.48m | 9:46PM1.50m | 10:13AM1.50m | 10:35PM1.49m | 11:04AM1.51m | 11:27PM1.48m | 11:59AM1.52m | 00:23AM1.46m | 12:56PM1.52m | 1:22AM1.45m | 1:57PM1.53m | 2:23AM1.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:20AM0.14m | 3:41PM0.16m | 4:06AM0.13m | 4:31PM0.17m | 4:54AM0.13m | 5:23PM0.17m | 5:46AM0.13m | 6:17PM0.18m | 6:41AM0.14m | 7:15PM0.19m | 7:38AM0.14m | 8:15PM0.18m | |||||||
— | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 4 | 1 |
Temp °C | 8 | 17 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 10 |
Feels °C | 6 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 7 | S 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | N 9 | NNE 9 | N 9 |
3906 | 2060 | 1359 | 2012 | 1104 | 726 | 327 | 151 | 108 | 30 | 15 | 17 | 33 | 58 | 65 | 21 | 203 | 147 | 43 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | S 18 | S 17 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | SSW 9 | NE 4 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 11 | S 16 | — |
31 | 515 | 1326 | 13 | 3 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 57 | 25 | 20 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 9 | — | N 11 | NE 11 | N 11 | SE 11 | N 7 | S 18 | N 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | N 5 | S 18 | NE 10 | SSW 17 | E 9 | — |
— | 13 | — | 10 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 26 | 4 | 28 | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 9 | — | — | NE 10 | NNW 2 | N 3 | N 4 | W 3 | SW 5 | NE 3 | NNE 4 | NW 2 | NNE 4 | NNE 6 | N 9 | SSW 4 | SSW 12 |
— | — | 32 | — | — | 28 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 201 | 398 | 43 | 5351 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 55 | 95 | 64 | 17 | 32 | 24 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 51 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











