Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 27 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.3°C
0.7° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, S swell with 2,961 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s. 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 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) 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 3.0m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Fri 28th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 1st Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 6PM (Tue 1st Sep)10ft (3.0m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the forecast for Whangara. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag for the next couple of weeks, but there are a couple of windows that'll get the stoke up.

The first real chance for a paddle comes in on Friday the 28th of August. We’ve got a solid 5ft southerly swell rollin’ in early with a 14-second period, and the wind is a clean cross-off from the north-northeast. That’s proper groundswell, and with moderate energy (937), it’s got some push. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothin’ strange there. The swell direction is off the south, which isn’t the optimum ENE direction for this spot, but it’s got enough size and period to make it interesting. It’s a beach-and-reef setup, so that long period stuff might be a little straight on the beach, but the reef could hold it together. Sometimes there are crowds, so don’t be surprised if a few others have the same idea. It’s a standout for the week.

The Saturday morning (29th of August) keeps things goin’ with a cleaner 3ft southerly swell, 12-second period, and lighter cross-off winds. The energy is a bit more moderate at 301, but it’ll be a fun, cleaner wave for the crew. By Saturday arvo, the wind gets up and the rain comes in, so make the most of the morning.

Then we get a real treat on Sunday the 30th of August. The swell shifts to the north-northeast with 4ft and a shorter 8-second period, but the wind goes glassy offshore from the west, just 3 mph. That’s clean as a whistle. The energy is moderate (323), and while the period is short, it’ll be punchy on the bank. Morning session is the go.

After that, the surf drops away. The Monday morning (31st of August) has a weak 2ft north-easterly swell and that’s about it. The next week into early September is a real flat spell with tiny waves and mostly offshore winds, but nothing with any size. There’s a jump in the numbers on Tuesday the 1st of September arvo with a 8ft southerly swell and massive energy (1966), but the wind is a light cross-onshore, and the conditions are marginal. That’s big, over 8ft, so it’s only for experts, and the short period (12s) wind-swell mix won’t be the cleanest.

From there, it’s a long, dry stretch of nothing until Thursday the 10th of September. On Thursday arvo, a 7ft north-northeast swell appears, but the wind is howlin’ at 19 mph from the north-northeast, making it a messy cross-off, and the period is a short 7 seconds. That’ll be chunky and lumpy, more of a kite-surfing setup than a proper paddle.

The real late highlight shows up on Friday the 11th of September. The morning brings a 4ft north-northeast swell, a 8-second period, light winds from the north at 6 mph, and good energy (467). That’s a proper clean session with some punch. The swell direction is the closest we’ve seen to the optimum ENE, so it’ll line up well. It’s still a week and a bit out, so keep an eye on it, but it’s promising.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Friday the 28th of August morning for that solid south groundswell, and Sunday the 30th of August morning for the glassy, clean conditions. The long-range Friday the 11th of September is a definite one to watch. Between the end of August and the 11th, there’s a lot of flat, so don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sun morning, fresh winds from the W by Mon night).

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
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
3
2
1
2
2
0
3
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
3
4
0
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)
0.2
ESE
12
0.9
S
6
1.9
S
16
1.6
S
14
1.3
S
13
1.1
S
12
1
S
12
0.8
S
11
2
N
7
1.3
NNE
8
1.2
NE
8
1
NE
9
0.7
NE
9
0.5
NE
9
0.6
NE
10
0.6
NE
10
2.5
S
12
2.4
S
12
0.4
NE
9
0.4
NE
10
0.3
S
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
13
55
1835
915
551
350
271
163
411
213
187
145
81
43
73
76
1912
1712
26
33
49
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
15
ESE
20
NNE
20
NNE
15
N
15
N
15
NNE
25
N
10
NNW
5
W
10
W
30
W
10
WNW
10
SW
35
W
15
S
5
ENE
10
WNW
25
WNW
25
NW
20
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
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
9:25AM1.48m
9:46PM1.50m
Low Tide
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
3:20AM0.14m
3:41PM0.16m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:30
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:44
5:45
 mm
2
7
1
Temp °C
13
12
11
16
18
13
14
14
13
15
17
14
15
16
13
10
11
9
16
17
16
Feels °C
11
9
8
11
14
11
11
10
12
13
14
8
12
13
5
7
9
6
11
12
12
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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