
Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, ESE swell with 1,788 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s 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 16) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 1.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 19s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it for Whangara. It’s a beach and reef set-up, gets a fair bit of swell, but it’s been a bit quiet. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is about average for this time of year.
The first real chance to get wet comes on Thursday the 16th of July. The morning is a bit weak with a 3ft ESE swell, but the wind is cross-off and it’s clean. The afternoon is where it starts to show some life, with a 3ft ESE swell and a solid 17-second period, producing a moderate wave energy (567). The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s clean. It’s not a standout, but it’s a start.
Friday the 17th of July is the one. The morning session is the big winner. We’ve got a 6ft ESE swell with a 16-second period, and the energy is pumping at 1843. That’s a strong, powerful groundswell. The wind is offshore from the WNW at 5 km/h, so it’s going to be clean. This is for experienced surfers only; 6ft with that period is a serious wave. The afternoon holds similar size, but the wind swings NE and goes cross, messing with the shape a little.
Saturday the 18th of July is still very good. The morning has a 5ft ESE swell, 14-second period, and offshore NW wind. Clean. The afternoon goes glassy with a 5ft swell, which is a treat. These are both solid options, but the Friday morning is the true standout.
After that, the surf drops off. Sunday the 19th sees a drop to 4ft with onshore winds and chop. Monday the 20th is poor. There’s a gap of poor to ordinary conditions through to the middle of the week.
Wednesday the 22nd of July afternoon offers a surprise: a 4ft S swell, 12-second period, with glassy conditions. That’s a clean, fun little window. The energy is moderate (505). It’s not a big day, but it’s a nice session if you’re keen.
The following week is mostly quiet with small surf and ordinary conditions until Tuesday the 28th of July. That afternoon, a 7ft NNE swell shows up, but it’s a short period of 6 seconds, so it’s going to be a bit lumpy and disorganised. The energy is moderate (311). Wednesday the 29th of July morning has a 5ft NNE swell with a 9-second period and clean conditions, but it’s not a classic. The wind picks up strong on the 29th afternoon, so that’s a write-off.
So, the best on offer is clearly Friday the 17th of July morning. The combination of a strong, long-period ESE groundswell and clean offshore wind makes it the standout. The Saturday morning is a close second. If you’re an experienced surfer, don’t miss that Friday. For everyone else, the glassy afternoon on the 18th is your best bet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | S 18 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
63 | 56 | 242 | 550 | 1321 | 1788 | 1654 | 1428 | 1057 | 883 | 721 | 501 | 444 | 336 | 251 | 243 | 160 | 107 | 107 | 155 | 127 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off |
High Tide | 6:27PM1.70m | 6:51AM1.58m | 7:23PM1.72m | 7:48AM1.58m | 8:18PM1.70m | 8:44AM1.56m | 9:11PM1.67m | 9:39AM1.52m | 10:04PM1.61m | 10:33AM1.49m | 10:55PM1.54m | 11:25AM1.44m | 11:45PM1.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:47AM0.04m | 1:06PM-0.02m | 1:45AM0.01m | 2:03PM-0.02m | 2:41AM0.01m | 2:58PM0.01m | 3:35AM0.02m | 3:52PM0.06m | 4:26AM0.06m | 4:44PM0.12m | 5:16AM0.11m | 5:35PM0.19m | 6:04AM0.16m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | |
5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | 5:08 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 |
Feels °C | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 15 | ESE 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | S 21 | S 19 | S 18 | SSW 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 19 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 |
63 | 56 | 242 | 550 | 1321 | 1788 | 1654 | 1428 | 1057 | 883 | 2023 | 1935 | 1610 | 882 | 1631 | 1434 | 3310 | 2105 | 1303 | 865 | 488 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | ESE 10 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | S 6 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | S 7 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
5 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 37 | 533 | 344 | 274 | 721 | 501 | 444 | 113 | 251 | 243 | 160 | 107 | 107 | 76 | 76 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 10 | — | SSW 16 | S 5 | S 16 | — | SSW 25 | S 10 | — | — | SE 12 | — | S 19 | S 20 | S 19 | — | S 18 | S 16 |
4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | — | 24 | 13 | 174 | — | 119 | 151 | — | — | 336 | — | 446 | 8 | 7 | — | 155 | 127 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 5 | WSW 2 | N 10 | SW 4 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 9 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | 115 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 61 | 24 | 17 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
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.











