
Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with 1,924 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again with the imperial sizing.
We've got a 16-day window with a slow start, but some serious swell lined up for the patient crew. The first week is average, but the second week has the real fire.
We're at Whangara, a beach and reef setup. Water temp is around 56°, pretty normal for the season.
Monday 14th September is dead. A tiny 1ft NE swell, weak energy (25), and a cross-onshore breeze make for a complete dud.
Tuesday 15th September morning is the first real chance. A clean 5ft S swell, 11-second period, solid energy (537), and a light cross-off wind. That's rideable. The afternoon gets wrecked by a 15 mph cross-shore.
The middle of the week, Wednesday 16th to Thursday 17th, is all small clean waves, 2-3ft from the SE with light winds. Fun for a longboard.
Friday 18th is a mess. A 22 mph cross-shore wind turns a 3-4ft swell into a washing machine.
Saturday 19th September morning is a standout. A clean 6ft S swell, 9-second period, big energy (864), and light offshore wind. That's the real deal.
Monday 21st September morning is another good one: 5ft S swell, offshore wind, solid energy (557).
The monster arrives Thursday 24th September. Morning is a massive 11-12ft S swell with insane energy (2596). That's too big for this break, plain dangerous. Thursday afternoon is for experts only: a 10ft S swell, still huge energy (1906), but with a clean offshore wind. Only for the brave.
Sunday 27th September is pure quality. Morning has a clean 6ft SE groundswell, 12-second period, offshore wind, and energy of (1085). Afternoon is also clean with 5-6ft waves and lighter winds (706).
Tuesday 29th September morning is glassy. A small 3ft ESE swell with 11-second period, but it's perfect, clean fun with energy of (277).
Bottom line: Saturday 19th September morning for the everyday surfer with that punchy 6ft swell. Sunday 27th September for the clean, long-period groundswell. For the hardcore crew, Thursday 24th September afternoon is the big one, but respect the size.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 14 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 6 | S 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
22 | 802 | 517 | 400 | 271 | 92 | 145 | 298 | 138 | 103 | 102 | 335 | 314 | 1924 | 601 | 290 | 142 | 97 | 154 | 183 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:18PM1.54m | 8:45AM1.51m | 9:05PM1.49m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:36AM0.10m | 2:59PM0.15m | 3:22AM0.14m | 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 | ||||||||
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | |
5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | NNE 8 | SE 12 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SE 11 | S 7 |
1127 | 802 | 517 | 400 | 271 | 82 | 145 | 298 | 138 | 103 | 53 | 149 | 314 | 1924 | 601 | 290 | 93 | 66 | 57 | 183 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NE 13 | NNE 4 | SE 10 | S 9 | N 4 | NE 11 | NE 11 | SE 14 | SE 12 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 13 | SE 11 |
22 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 6 | 92 | 39 | 5 | 20 | 19 | 102 | 335 | 168 | 62 | 232 | 202 | 142 | 97 | 56 | 56 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | NE 13 | NE 13 | SSW 16 | NE 12 | S 10 | SE 12 | SSW 9 | S 8 | SSW 14 | SE 11 | SSW 17 | — | ESE 12 | NNE 9 | SSW 15 | SSE 8 | S 13 | N 9 | SSW 11 |
3 | 7 | 7 | 24 | 23 | 47 | 75 | 16 | 5 | 20 | 31 | 29 | — | 96 | 31 | 71 | 59 | 90 | 7 | 37 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 4 | WNW 3 | NE 5 | WNW 3 | NNE 2 | N 5 | N 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | — | NNE 9 | WNW 3 | W 3 | S 6 | — |
— | — | — | 3 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 54 | 157 | 214 | 2301 | 2872 | — | 55 | 3 | 2 | 154 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 62 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 51 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 107 | 24 |
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.










