Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period, S swell with 1,305 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 1.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.0m 11s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 17s |
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 the next couple of weeks are shaping up like for the local stretch.
We’re looking at a bit of a slow start, but there’s a real gem hiding in the middle of the week and a serious pulse of energy late in the second week that has my attention. Don’t get too excited about the first few days, because Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September are a write-off with tiny, poor surf and tricky winds. You can leave the boards in the car for that.
The real action kicks off Wednesday the 2nd of September. If you’re flexible, that’s your morning session. Whangara (beach and reef) will have the first proper swell of the period rolling in. We’ve got a clean 3 ft S swell with a *very* long period of 18 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy with serious push behind it. The wind is offshore from the WNW at 12 mph, so expect clean, peeling lines. There’s moderate wave energy building (522). By Wednesday afternoon it gets even better: the swell pumps up to 5 ft from the south, period drops slightly to a still-impressive 17 seconds, and the wind goes glassy-light from the NW at just 3 mph. Wave energy jumps to strong (1331). That afternoon window on Wednesday the 2nd is a standout – clean, solid, and that long-period swell will wrap nicely into the reef. Just be aware the crowds can be an issue here sometimes, but on a Wednesday you might get lucky. The water’s sitting at 56°, which is about average for this time of year.
Now, after that, it goes quiet again. Thursday through the weekend and into early the following week is flat or near-flat. There’s a few scraps of knee-high stuff but the energy is almost zero, so don’t bother. We’re talking a gap of nearly a week with nothing worth paddling out for.
Looking ahead, the next real opportunity pops up on Thursday the 10th of September. Thursday morning sees a 4 ft ESE swell with a period of 9 seconds and cross-offshore wind from the WSW at just 3 mph. Wave energy is moderate (286) and conditions are clean. It’s not the monster of the previous week, but it’s surfable and offers a decent little window.
But the real one to circle on your calendar is Tuesday the 15th of September. Whangara will light up again. Tuesday morning we’ve got a solid 5 ft S swell, period of 17 seconds, and only a light northerly cross-offshore breeze at 3 mph. The wave energy is very strong (1324) and the surf is clean. This is another top-tier session in the making, though it’s far out so treat it as promising but not locked in. Tuesday afternoon the swell pushes even bigger – 7 ft from the south with a 16-second period – but the wind switches to a moderate cross-shore from the NE at 16 mph, which will chop it up a bit. That size is getting into the expert-only territory for most, so take care.
Overall, the best bet is Wednesday the 2nd of September afternoon – that glassy, long-period south swell is a proper treat. The second standout is Tuesday the 15th of September morning, if the forecast holds. Everything else in between is a waiting game.
Stay stoked.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon morning, calm by Tue afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | S 18 | S 17 | NE 9 | ENE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | N 9 | N 9 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 | S 17 | N 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
93 | 59 | 53 | 61 | 33 | 31 | 509 | 1305 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 54 | 25 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 24 | 728 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:14PM1.49m | 8:39AM1.45m | 8:59PM1.50m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:07PM0.18m | 2:35AM0.15m | 2:53PM0.17m | 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 | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 16 | 8 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 16 | NE 10 | NE 10 | S 12 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 15 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | N 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 10 | S 9 | NNE 7 |
137 | 443 | 53 | 61 | 2154 | 3728 | 2029 | 1359 | 2040 | 991 | 643 | 271 | 151 | 80 | 54 | 161 | 190 | 169 | 160 | 78 | 319 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | SSW 9 | NNW 9 | — | NE 10 | NE 9 | S 18 | S 17 | NE 9 | ENE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 10 | N 9 | ENE 10 | NE 4 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 8 |
93 | 103 | 8 | — | 33 | 31 | 509 | 1305 | 13 | 9 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 30 | 25 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | NE 9 | SE 11 | — | SE 11 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | N 8 | SE 12 | SE 10 | N 3 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 15 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | S 17 | SSW 17 |
225 | 59 | 5 | — | 5 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 24 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | W 4 | SSW 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | — | — | NNE 8 | W 3 | WNW 3 | NNE 10 | NNW 3 | N 3 | N 4 | WSW 4 | — | NNE 3 | NNE 4 | N 3 | N 3 | N 8 |
11 | 21 | 1452 | 2817 | 3527 | — | — | 13 | 5 | 3 | 22 | 4 | 2 | 36 | 12 | — | 3 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 728 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 28 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 408 |
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.











