Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period, S swell with 649 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.6m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 1.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 13s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, let’s talk about Whangara over the next couple of weeks. It’s a pretty grim run, to be straight with you. The only proper window shows up on Saturday the 29th of August morning, and that’s it—before that, it’s days of tiny junk with poor winds. A lot of mornings and afternoons are just marked as poor conditions, not worth your time.
So, Saturday the 29th of August morning is your best bet. Whangara (a beach and reef spot that’s fairly open to an ENE swell direction) will see a 3ft swell coming in from the south, with a 12-second period. That’s a bit of groundswell, and the combined energy is 307 (moderate). You’ve got a light cross-offshore breeze from the north at 6 mph, keeping things clean. Water temp is 56°, which is about 2° cooler than the long-term average—nothing drastic, just a bit nippy. Crowds can show up here sometimes, so don’t expect it empty. The swell’s not big, so it’s fine for most, and that offshore flow makes it the pick of the fortnight.
Saturday afternoon fades fast—smaller, cross-on wind, not worth staying in.
Sunday the 30th of August morning offers a 3ft swell from the NNE, but it’s only 8 seconds—short-period, weak windswell. Energy is 255 (still moderate), but you’ve got a crisp offshore from the WNW at 16 mph, so it’ll look clean, but there’s no power behind it. Just “surfable” at best. Not a standout.
From Sunday afternoon through the second week, it’s basically flat or tiny. Wednesday the 2nd of September morning has a 1ft swell from the south with a very long 19-second period—sounds fancy, but the energy is only 101 (weak), and the swell is tiny. Clean offshore from the west at 9 mph, but you’d be lucky to get a ride.
Sunday the 6th of September afternoon has a 3ft north swell, 9-second period, energy at 164, with a moderate offshore from the NNW at 13 mph. Again, just “surfable”—nothing special.
So, if you’re not on it Saturday the 29th morning, you’ll be waiting. The long-range stuff is too small and weak to get stoked about. For kite surfers, the stronger wind days might be interesting, but for a paddle surfer? It’s a dry spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 16 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | NE 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 15 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 73 | 33 | 34 | 83 | 45 | 42 | 40 | 40 | 43 | 42 | 38 | 13 | 23 | 16 | 14 | 21 | 427 | 276 | 202 | 112 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 2:23AM1.27m | 2:54PM1.32m | 3:13AM1.26m | 3:44PM1.33m | 4:02AM1.26m | 4:32PM1.35m | 4:51AM1.28m | 5:18PM1.39m | 5:38AM1.31m | 6:03PM1.42m | 6:24AM1.34m | 6:47PM1.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:16PM0.38m | 8:35AM0.34m | 9:07PM0.39m | 9:23AM0.34m | 9:57PM0.37m | 10:13AM0.32m | 10:47PM0.35m | 11:01AM0.29m | 11:36PM0.31m | 11:48AM0.26m | 00:22AM0.26m | 12:35PM0.23m | 1:07AM0.22m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | |  |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 11 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | N 5 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 17 | S 18 | S 17 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 73 | 12 | 266 | 243 | 913 | 461 | 289 | 158 | 100 | 443 | 288 | 879 | 1992 | 1972 | 1016 | 772 | 427 | 276 | 202 | 112 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 16 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSW 17 | S 15 | S 17 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | E 16 | NNE 10 | ESE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | N 5 |
| kJ | 33 | 33 | 34 | 83 | 45 | 42 | 59 | 168 | 215 | 42 | 38 | 13 | 23 | 5 | 9 | 21 | 30 | 27 | 44 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | SSE 9 | N 5 | ESE 13 | NE 11 | NNE 4 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | NE 10 | NNE 3 | NE 10 | — | — | ESE 12 | NE 9 | — | NE 10 | NE 10 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 7 | 17 | 5 | 35 | 5 | 1 | 40 | 40 | 43 | 4 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 14 | 3 | — | 4 | 15 | 53 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | WSW 3 | — | — | N 4 | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | — | — | NE 10 | — | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | N 6 |
| kJ | 12 | 9 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 16 | — | 37 | 113 | 25 | 25 | 39 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 17 | 11 | 22 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 19 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
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.
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