
Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 10 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, SE swell with 1,736 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 9s period. 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 2.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) 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 2.2m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for us.
We’ve got a bit of a rough start at Whangara. The first few days are a write-off with a big, messy 15-foot SSE swell on Friday the 10th getting hammered by a 22 mph south wind. That’s not surf, that’s a washing machine. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
It’s not until Sunday the 12th that things start to clean up. The swell drops to a more manageable 5 feet from the SE, and with a light WSW breeze, it’s looking clean. It’s a small wave, but it’s surfable. The energy is moderate (332). Monday and Tuesday get smaller, with knee-high stuff and clean conditions, but nothing to get excited about.
Then we get a little blip of hope on Thursday the 16th. A 4-foot ESE groundswell with a 17-second period – that’s proper long-period energy. Combined with a light offshore NW wind, it’s going to be glassy and lined up. The energy is building (767). This is a good window for a point break or reef, as that long period can make beach breaks a bit straight. This is the first real standout.
Friday the 17th pushes up to 7 feet from the ESE, still clean in the morning, but the cross-off wind gets a bit stiffer. Saturday the 18th is similar, but the wind swings more cross-shore in the arvo, making it lumpy.
The real standout, though, is the last week. From Wednesday the 23rd through Friday the 25th, we’ve got solid, clean surf. Wednesday morning the 23rd has a 10-foot SE swell with a 11-second period, light offshore wind, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The energy is strong (1693). Thursday the 24th is similar, 10 feet again, clean. This is the best bet for the whole outlook – solid, powerful, and clean. It’s big enough that only experienced surfers should be out there. Remember, the optimum swell direction here is ENE, and these swells are coming from the SE, so it’s a little off-angle, but the quality is still top-notch.
The run finishes on Saturday the 25th with a smaller 5-foot ESE swell and clean conditions – a nice way to wind down.
So, to sum it up: the first few days are a total loss. The first real chance is Thursday the 16th for a clean, long-period groundswell. But the absolute highlight is the stretch from Wednesday the 23rd to Friday the 24th – big, clean, and powerful. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Fri morning, calm by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3922 | 2747 | 1175 | 1046 | 747 | 593 | 330 | 270 | 236 | 141 | 94 | 98 | 62 | 26 | 35 | 64 | 64 | 89 | 734 | 1276 | 1547 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:34PM1.44m | 1:55AM1.46m | 2:31PM1.50m | 2:54AM1.49m | 3:31PM1.56m | 3:54AM1.52m | 4:30PM1.62m | 4:54AM1.55m | 5:29PM1.67m | 5:53AM1.57m | 6:27PM1.70m | 6:51AM1.58m | 7:23PM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:46PM0.22m | 8:14AM0.13m | 8:45PM0.19m | 9:11AM0.10m | 9:46PM0.16m | 10:10AM0.06m | 10:47PM0.11m | 11:09AM0.02m | 11:48PM0.07m | 12:08PM-0.01m | 00:47AM0.04m | 1:06PM-0.02m | 1:45AM0.01m | ||||||||
7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | |
mm | 3 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | NNE 5 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 |
69 | 58 | 1175 | 1046 | 747 | 593 | 330 | 270 | 236 | 141 | 94 | 98 | 62 | 26 | 35 | 15 | 64 | 89 | 734 | 1276 | 1547 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 16 | S 11 | S 20 | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 11 | NE 5 | ESE 11 | NNE 5 | NNE 7 | NNE 5 | SSW 18 | S 16 |
— | — | 46 | 59 | 194 | 273 | 279 | 181 | 186 | 141 | 96 | 166 | 75 | 41 | 7 | 64 | 11 | 18 | 9 | 30 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | N 10 | N 10 | NE 10 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | ESE 10 | N 5 | S 8 | NNE 7 | ESE 16 | S 18 | SSW 18 | — |
— | — | — | 25 | 36 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 26 | 24 | 30 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | — | SSW 7 | S 7 | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | N 5 | N 5 | — | — | — | W 3 | S 4 | S 6 |
3922 | 2747 | 535 | 167 | 93 | — | 48 | 34 | — | — | 3 | 8 | 26 | 51 | 40 | — | — | — | 3 | 14 | 156 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 110 | 108 | 51 | 35 | 17 | 24 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
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.










