
Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, S swell with 2,614 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period with SSE 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 07) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 13s. 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 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s how the surf’s shaping up for the next couple of weeks at Whangara.
We’ve got a solid run of surf kicking off Friday morning, 7 August, with a decent pulse of south swell hitting the beach and reef. The swell’s coming in at 6ft from the south with a 10-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at 1712 – that’s strong and powerful. With a light WNW offshore breeze, it’s going to be clean and lined up. This is proper grunty surf, though, so it’s for experienced surfers only. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
The standout is definitely the Saturday morning, 8 August. Swell holds steady at 7ft from the south, period stretching to 13 seconds, and the energy is still strong at 1796. That light WNW offshore again makes for glassy conditions. This is the best of the first week – clean, powerful, and consistent. Expect crowds though, Whangara can get busy when it’s this good.
By Sunday morning, 9 August, the swell eases to 5ft from the SSE, period 11 seconds, and energy drops to 679. It’s still clean with a cross-offshore breeze, but the size is more manageable. Sunday afternoon drops to 3ft, and the next few days fade into smaller, weaker surf. Monday the 10th has 3ft, and by Tuesday the 11th it’s the same size but with a 12-second period – still surfable but ordinary.
There’s a gap from Wednesday afternoon, 12 August, all the way through to Thursday, 13 August, with weak, tiny waves and poor conditions. Nothing worth paddling out for.
Then we get a pulse on Friday morning, 14 August – 8ft from the NNE but only 7 seconds period. That’s short-period, dumpy stuff, and the combined energy is 771 – moderate. It’s clean with a cross-off, but the short period means it’s going to be a bit messy and fat. Still, it’s big, so only for the experienced.
The following week, look out for Wednesday morning, 19 August – a massive 13ft south swell with 11 seconds and energy at 3751. That’s huge, too big for Whangara, really. It’s clean with a light WSW offshore, but it’s a beast. Thursday morning, 20 August, is still 10ft from the south with a glassy WNW offshore – that’s the expert’s session if you’ve got the nerve. The energy is 3405, very strong.
Then Friday the 21st settles to 6ft from the SSE, and Saturday the 22nd is 5ft from the SE with a light offshore – a nice way to finish the run. The long-range stuff is promising but not locked in.
So, for the best on offer, I’d be on it Saturday morning, 8 August – 7ft south swell, clean offshore, and plenty of energy. And if you’re a real charger, that Thursday morning, 20 August, with 10ft and glassy conditions is a standout for the brave.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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 | S 10 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 14 | S 13 | SSE 11 | NNE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
430 | 755 | 1675 | 2122 | 1298 | 1194 | 663 | 478 | 390 | 475 | 191 | 133 | 125 | 247 | 197 | 128 | 107 | 85 | 50 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 11:44PM1.46m | 12:16PM1.46m | 00:38AM1.46m | 1:13PM1.49m | 1:36AM1.46m | 2:12PM1.52m | 2:36AM1.47m | 3:13PM1.56m | 3:37AM1.49m | 4:13PM1.59m | 4:38AM1.51m | 5:12PM1.63m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:05AM0.16m | 6:32PM0.21m | 6:58AM0.15m | 7:28PM0.20m | 7:54AM0.13m | 8:28PM0.19m | 8:52AM0.11m | 9:29PM0.16m | 9:52AM0.09m | 10:31PM0.13m | 10:52AM0.06m | 11:31PM0.09m | |||||||
— | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
541 | 755 | 1675 | 2122 | 1298 | 1194 | 663 | 478 | 326 | 475 | 191 | 133 | 125 | 225 | 158 | 128 | 107 | 85 | 50 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SE 13 | S 10 | SE 11 | SSE 16 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | E 12 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 7 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 |
430 | 357 | 509 | 97 | 412 | 41 | 37 | 186 | 390 | 12 | 132 | 108 | 31 | 247 | 197 | 66 | 98 | 72 | 43 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | S 17 | SE 12 | NE 14 | SE 12 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 12 | ESE 13 | SE 14 | SE 13 | NE 6 | S 16 | NE 11 | SSW 8 | S 12 | SE 9 |
380 | 600 | 244 | 8 | 86 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 29 | 78 | 9 | 20 | 4 | 19 | 12 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | NNE 4 | N 6 | — | — | — | — | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | — | SSW 3 | — |
712 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 20 | 137 | — | — | — | — | 30 | 122 | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
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.











