Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, S swell with 7,129 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period with ESE 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period. 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 4.5m 14s 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 5.0m 14s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m breaking down what’s coming up for Whangara over the next couple of weeks. It’s a beach and reef setup, pretty exposed to the east-northeast, and we’ve got a bit of a slow start before things really get cooking.
We kick off Thursday the 30th of July with a 5ft southeast swell, 12-second period, light north-northwest breeze keeping it clean. Swell energy is 612 (moderate) – solid, groomed waves. It holds into the afternoon, dropping a bit to 5ft. Friday the 31st is also fun with a 3ft southeast swell and offshore northwest breeze – clean and easy.
Then we hit a weird patch. Saturday the 1st of August is tiny – 2ft southeast swell, cross-shore wind, not worth it. Sunday the 2nd gets a big pulse – 10ft southerly swell, but cross-shore and messy. Swell energy hits 2627 (strong), but the conditions are a letdown. That’s too big for beginners.
Monday the 3rd of August is where it’s at. We get a 6ft south swell, 10-second period, with a west cross-off breeze cleaning it up. Swell energy is 733 (moderate). Monday afternoon goes glassy – wind drops to zero, 5ft, clean face – absolute magic.
The standout is Tuesday the 4th of August. That morning, we’ve got an 8ft south groundswell, a 17-second period – that’s deep ocean lines. Swell energy is 3990 (very strong). Wind is a light west-southwest cross-off – those waves will be holding up clean and lined up. This is for experienced surfers only. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
Wednesday the 5th of August bumps to 12ft south swell – expert territory. Combined energy at 3686. The wind is cross-off, so the face is clean, but the power is massive.
After that, we have a few more good days. Thursday the 6th of August morning is glassy with a 6ft SSE swell – very clean. Friday the 7th morning has a 6ft SSE swell with a north cross-off, also sharp.
The second week gets wild and messy. From Saturday the 8th, we see huge pulses – 18ft, then 26ft by Monday the 10th – but the wind switches onshore or cross-shore, turning it into chaos. Swell energy hits 14487 and 20994. For paddle surfing, it’s a no-go. Might be interesting for kite surfing, but not for a regular board.
Another one to watch: Thursday the 13th of August morning – 10ft east-southeast swell, 12-second period, light north-northwest offshore wind, excellent for experienced surfers. Swell energy at 2781. It’s two weeks out, so it’s promising but not locked in.
Water temperature is about average for this time of year at Whangara.
To sum it up: Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are solid. Tuesday the 4th of August is the absolute standout – long-period groundswell, clean cross-off, for the experienced crew. Thursday the 13th is promising but further out. The rest is either too big, too windy, or too small. Get on it.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu morning, fresh winds from the SW by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 11 | S 17 | ENE 12 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 964 | 612 | 469 | 387 | 263 | 217 | 126 | 151 | 151 | 123 | 2499 | 1914 | 1144 | 679 | 468 | 130 | 3944 | 14 | 4681 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 6:09AM1.31m | 6:37PM1.42m | 6:54AM1.32m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:09AM0.32m | 12:21PM0.26m | 00:55AM0.29m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 11 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 7 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | S 13 |
| kJ | 964 | 612 | 469 | 387 | 263 | 217 | 126 | 151 | 151 | 123 | 2499 | 1914 | 1144 | 679 | 468 | 447 | 23 | 14 | 4681 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 17 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SE 15 | NNE 6 | E 12 | ESE 11 | NE 16 | SE 14 | NE 15 | NE 14 | ENE 13 | S 13 | SSE 11 | NE 12 | — | ENE 12 |
| kJ | 10 | 146 | 112 | 63 | 33 | 36 | 22 | 70 | 40 | 40 | 91 | 34 | 33 | 17 | 119 | 130 | 23 | — | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SW 9 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NNE 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | ENE 17 | E 10 | NE 15 | NE 15 | SE 13 | S 22 | NE 13 | SSW 18 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 26 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 35 | 22 | 29 | 8 | 37 | 34 | 56 | 37 | 27 | 64 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | N 5 | N 5 | NNE 6 | W 3 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | S 12 | S 12 | — | — | WSW 3 | W 3 | SSW 6 | S 17 | S 14 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 3 | 5 | 19 | 56 | 70 | 37 | 8 | 405 | 1941 | 3204 | 3471 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 94 | 3944 | 7326 | 7957 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 24 | 51 | 35 | 35 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 134 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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