Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.1°C
0.9° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, S swell with 12,730 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 4s is also forecast. 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 5.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 11s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 28th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Best Surf12PM (Tue 1st Sep)18ft (5.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 3PM (Tue 1st Sep)18ft (5.5m) 15s

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 coming up for Whangara. This is a beach and reef setup that’s fairly exposed, and it’s going to be a story of waiting for the good stuff, with a few classic windows and some real wildcards thrown in.

We’ve got a dry spell to kick things off. From Wednesday the 26th right through Thursday the 27th, there’s nothing doing. The swell is tiny, the wind is messy, or both. You’re better off waxing your board or checking the tides at home. Then, Friday morning the 28th is where it finally wakes up. We get a clean 1.5m swell from the south with a 13-second period, which is proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is moderate at 837, and with a light cross-offshore breeze from the north, it’s going to be clean. That’s the standout of the first week. The swell direction from the south is a solid match for the optimum ENE exposure, so it’ll wrap in nicely. The water is sitting at 13°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no wetsuit surprises there.

Saturday the 29th holds in with a smaller 0.9m south swell, but still clean with a light offshore wind. It’s more of a fun-size day, good for a long session without the crowd pressure, though crowds are possible here sometimes. Sunday the 30th drops off further, and by Monday the 31st the afternoon throws a curveball – a 3.0m south swell pops up, but with a cross-onshore wind. That’s big, powerful energy (1969 combined), but it’s going to be lumpy. That’s a miss.

Now, Tuesday the 1st of September afternoon is a beast. We’re looking at a massive 5.5m south swell with a 15-second period, and the combined energy is a whopping 12777. That is a serious amount of water moving. The wind is light, but the swell is just too big for this break. This is for expert eyes only, and even then, it’s borderline dangerous. Not a paddle session – more like a life-or-death drop.

Wednesday the 2nd settles down to a much more manageable 2.3m south swell, with a fresh offshore wind from the WNW. That’s a solid, clean day for confident surfers. The 12-second period gives it shape and power. Thursday the 3rd is a good follow-up with 1.2m and offshore winds.

After that, the second week gets quiet. From Friday the 4th through to Tuesday the 9th of September, it’s mostly small, weak, and poor. There’s a gap of several days with nothing worth paddling out for. But hang in there, because Wednesday the 9th afternoon brings a late surprise. A clean 1.4m south swell rolls in with a 12-second period and a gentle offshore wind. The combined energy is 785, solid moderate. That’s your second standout, and the best bet for the second week. Thursday the 10th morning holds similar size but with a cross-offshore wind, still good.

So, the call: Friday the 28th of August and Wednesday the 9th of September afternoons are the ones to circle. The rest is either flat, too big, or blown out.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon night).

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
3
0
0
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SE
13
0.4
SE
13
0.4
SE
12
0.2
ESE
12
0.3
ESE
11
1.8
S
16
1.5
S
13
1.3
S
13
1.1
S
12
0.9
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.6
S
11
0.5
S
10
1.9
SW
6
0.4
NE
10
3
S
11
0.5
NE
10
0.5
NE
10
5.5
S
15
3.5
S
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
43
42
38
13
24
1546
792
534
347
216
205
157
83
53
219
24
1931
53
49
12730
3895
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
10
NE
20
WNW
15
SSW
15
SE
20
NNE
15
N
15
NNW
15
NNW
10
N
15
NNW
5
NW
15
W
10
S
15
WNW
15
W
10
S
15
WSW
20
SSW
5
S
15
NNW
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
4:32PM1.35m
4:51AM1.28m
5:18PM1.39m
5:38AM1.31m
6:03PM1.42m
6:24AM1.34m
6:47PM1.45m
7:09AM1.38m
7:31PM1.47m
7:54AM1.42m
8:14PM1.49m
8:39AM1.45m
8:59PM1.50m
Low Tide
10:13AM0.32m
10:47PM0.35m
11:01AM0.29m
11:36PM0.31m
11:48AM0.26m
00:22AM0.26m
12:35PM0.23m
1:07AM0.22m
1:21PM0.20m
1:51AM0.18m
2:07PM0.18m
2:35AM0.15m
2:53PM0.17m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:44
 mm
Temp °C
16
17
15
13
12
12
16
18
13
17
17
12
16
16
11
15
15
13
11
12
11
Feels °C
13
13
12
10
10
9
11
14
9
14
13
10
13
13
6
12
13
9
6
9
7
  • 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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