
Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, NNE swell with 666 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period with SE 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 16) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) 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 4.5m 11s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the coming weeks for the local stretch. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there are a few windows that’ll get the blood pumping.
Right off the bat, Wednesday morning looks clean and inviting. The swell is tiny at 2ft from the southeast, with a period of 13 seconds, making it a proper groundswell. Combined energy is moderate at 249. A light 6 mph offshore breeze from the WNW will have the surface glassy. The water temp is sitting at 56°F, which is about 1°F below average – a touch cooler than normal, but not a major shock.
Thursday morning cleans up nicely again with a gentle 9 mph offshore from the NW and clean 3ft swell from the SE. It’s small, but the conditions will be tidy for a cruise. The energy is moderate at 213.
Friday morning sees a jump in size to 4ft from the SE, but the wind swings to a light cross-onshore from the south. The combined energy spikes to 524 – a decent pulse of moderate power – but the conditions are a bit messy.
Saturday morning is the first real standout. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the WSW at 9 mph, with 4ft swell from the NNE. The combined energy is a solid 411. It’s not huge, but the setup is favorable for a fun session.
We hit a quiet spell from Sunday through to Tuesday morning, with dribbles of swell and mostly uninviting winds.
Now, Wednesday the 30th of September is a beast. For the experts only. Swell is pumping 12ft from the south, with a very long period of 12 seconds. The combined energy is a whopping 3462 – very strong stuff. A 9 mph cross-offshore from the NNE will keep the face reasonably clean, but the size and power are serious. This is for experienced surfers only; beginners want no part of it. The best wave direction (S) matches up well with the break’s optimum. The tide and wind are favorable, but that size is a monster.
Thursday the 1st of October is a nice follow-up. The swell drops to a much more manageable 4ft from the SE, with a moderate 16 mph offshore from the WNW. Combined energy is 272. It’s going to be clean and surfable, a good bet after the big day.
The best on offer: Saturday morning the 19th for a clean, fun-sized ripple, and the big Wednesday the 30th for any expert looking to get smoked on a solid south swell.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 13 | SSE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 14 | SE 12 | NE 7 | NE 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 7 | SE 12 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
104 | 203 | 326 | 188 | 147 | 95 | 373 | 487 | 382 | 216 | 179 | 126 | 96 | 55 | 44 | 20 | 27 | 24 | 53 | 37 | 36 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:31AM1.49m | 9:51PM1.45m | 10:16AM1.45m | 10:36PM1.39m | 11:01AM1.41m | 11:21PM1.34m | 11:48AM1.37m | 00:08AM1.30m | 12:35PM1.34m | 00:56AM1.26m | 1:24PM1.32m | 1:45AM1.24m | 2:14PM1.31m | 2:36AM1.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:46PM0.19m | 4:06AM0.19m | 4:32PM0.24m | 4:51AM0.24m | 5:18PM0.29m | 5:35AM0.29m | 6:04PM0.33m | 6:21AM0.32m | 6:51PM0.36m | 7:08AM0.35m | 7:40PM0.38m | 7:56AM0.36m | 8:30PM0.38m | ||||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
— | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 20 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 8 | NNE 9 | SE 11 | S 6 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 |
84 | 203 | 326 | 188 | 147 | 71 | 373 | 298 | 382 | 216 | 179 | 65 | 96 | 55 | 44 | 3771 | 2166 | 738 | 193 | 103 | 39 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 12 | SSW 9 | NE 11 | NE 11 | SE 14 | NE 11 | SSW 17 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | SSW 13 | ENE 10 | NNE 9 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 |
61 | 75 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 95 | 5 | 57 | 232 | 195 | 113 | 115 | 93 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 27 | 24 | 53 | 30 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | S 8 | SSW 15 | SE 11 | S 14 | SSW 10 | SW 8 | SSW 15 | E 7 | SE 11 | S 6 | N 9 | — | — | NE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 |
104 | 23 | 21 | 5 | 21 | 61 | 4 | 11 | 18 | 74 | 28 | 126 | 20 | 15 | — | — | 7 | 17 | 26 | 37 | 36 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | — | — | W 3 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | SW 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | — | NW 3 | SSW 8 | S 11 | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | — | — | 1 | 14 | 81 | 142 | 487 | 75 | 271 | 293 | — | 9 | 1152 | 3657 | 6143 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 0 | 54 | 28 | 24 | 95 | 35 | 19 | 19 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 11 |
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.










