Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 06 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.6°C
0.5° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, S swell with 4,556 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with NNE 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 15s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Mon 7th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 13th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sun 13th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let's have a look at what's on the menu for Whangara over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag to be honest, with a lot of flat or poor days to start with, but there’s a proper little gem waiting for us further out.

We’ve got a long gap of nothing much to get excited about right through this week and into the next. The first few days are basically a write-off with small, messy waves and rubbish wind. Don't bother paddling out until we get to Monday the 14th of September. That’s when things finally kick off.

Now, the standout is Monday the 14th of September. Monday morning, we’ve got a solid 8ft swell rolling in from the south. That’s a serious amount of water, way too much for beginners, but for the experienced crew it’s going to be epic. The period is a long 14 seconds, so it’s proper groundswell with heaps of energy (2771). The wind is offshore from the northwest at 9 mph, keeping the faces clean and lined up. Whangara is a beach and reef set-up, so that long period south swell is going to wrap in nicely, offering some proper shaped waves. It's going to be good, but expect a few others out there as it’s sometimes crowded.

The day before, Sunday the 13th, we get a little taste of that new south swell arriving in the afternoon – a 2ft wave at 20 seconds is a very long period for the size, with moderate energy (408). The wind is cross-shore, so it won't be clean, but it’s a sign of what’s coming.

After the big Monday, Tuesday the 15th of September still has some decent 5ft south swell with a 12-second period. The real winner for Tuesday is the morning session, with glassy conditions and light winds from the WNW at 3 mph. That’s as good as it gets for clean surf, so if you missed Monday, get out there Tuesday morning.

The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so a spring suit should be fine.

Beyond that, there’s another pulse of swell from the NNE arriving around Monday the 21st of September, with 6ft and 6ft waves and clean offshore winds. That looks promising, but it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it.

So to sum it up: endure the flat spell, and then absolutely nail Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th of September. That’s the pick of the forecast.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
1
0
0
0
2
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
2
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)
0.1
NE
10
0.8
NNE
8
1.6
N
6
2
S
9
0.6
N
9
1.1
SE
8
0.9
SE
8
1.4
SSE
7
1.3
SSE
7
1
SE
7
0.9
SE
7
0.7
SE
7
0.4
NE
10
0.4
NE
13
0.3
NE
13
1.5
S
8
0.4
NE
13
0.3
NE
13
0.3
NE
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4
75
206
586
56
153
96
220
193
104
73
47
23
44
28
256
44
27
26
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
15
NNW
10
WSW
30
W
40
WSW
35
SW
25
SW
10
WSW
10
E
15
NW
20
WNW
15
NW
10
WSW
25
SW
15
SSE
15
WNW
20
SW
15
S
10
NW
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
off
cross
cross-on
off
High Tide
1:22AM1.45m
1:57PM1.53m
2:23AM1.44m
2:57PM1.54m
3:24AM1.45m
3:57PM1.56m
4:24AM1.46m
4:54PM1.57m
5:22AM1.48m
5:49PM1.58m
6:16AM1.51m
6:41PM1.58m
Low Tide
7:38AM0.14m
8:15PM0.18m
8:37AM0.14m
9:16PM0.17m
9:37AM0.12m
10:16PM0.14m
10:36AM0.11m
11:14PM0.11m
11:34AM0.10m
00:09AM0.08m
12:29PM0.09m
1:00AM0.07m
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:13
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:50
5:51
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
 mm
1
5
1
1
6
4
3
Temp °C
16
17
12
12
10
11
11
13
12
10
16
16
13
11
12
11
10
11
8
Feels °C
13
15
10
6
2
3
5
10
9
5
12
12
11
5
7
6
5
7
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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