Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, N swell with 220 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period with N 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 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 1.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
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 offer. I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at this stretch of coast for a long time. The next couple of weeks are a proper mixed bag, with a long dry spell to start before things get interesting. For the first four days, from Friday the 4th to Monday the 7th, the swell is tiny and weak, with combined energy readings barely reaching 56. It’s just not worth paddling out for. Then from Tuesday the 8th right through to Wednesday the 16th, we’re stuck in a rut of small, messy, or strong-wind slop. The energy picks up a bit on the 8th, hitting 148, but it’s too short-period and junky for a good time. A big gap of about eight days of pretty ordinary conditions. The real standout, and the only one I’d get excited about, is Thursday the 17th. Whangara is a beach and reef setup, and it’s fairly exposed to swell. The morning of the 17th is the pick: a solid 10ft groundswell from the south, with a very long period of 14 seconds, combined energy of 3718. That’s strong wave energy. The wind is a slight cross-offshore breeze from the north-northeast at just 3 mph, making for clean, powerful conditions. This is excellent surf, but that size is for experienced surfers only. The water temperature is about 56°, which is a touch cooler than normal for this time of year, but nothing too wild. Whangara can get crowds sometimes, so be prepared for a few others with the same idea. The swell direction is perfect for the spot, which responds best from the east-northeast. The following morning, Friday the 18th, is also a good chance: 6ft south swell, 12-second period, with glassy conditions and light northerly winds. Combined energy at 781. That’s a solid, clean day for a broader range of surfers. Saturday the 19th morning brings another 8ft south swell, but with a shorter 10-second period and a cross-offshore wind, so it’s powerful but a bit lumpier. Overall, if you’re a confident surfer, the 17th and 18th are your windows. The rest of the run is a write-off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 10 | NE 4 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 10 | S 16 | N 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | S 8 | S 8 | NE 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 45 | 46 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 20 | 167 | 131 | 125 | 124 | 55 | 39 | 42 | 104 | 105 | 44 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:27PM1.48m | 11:59AM1.52m | 00:23AM1.46m | 12:56PM1.52m | 1:22AM1.45m | 1:57PM1.53m | 2:23AM1.44m | 2:57PM1.54m | 3:24AM1.45m | 3:57PM1.56m | 4:24AM1.46m | 4:54PM1.57m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:46AM0.13m | 6:17PM0.18m | 6:41AM0.14m | 7:15PM0.19m | 7:38AM0.14m | 8:15PM0.18m | 8:37AM0.14m | 9:16PM0.17m | 9:37AM0.12m | 10:16PM0.14m | 10:36AM0.11m | 11:14PM0.11m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 18 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 16 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 7 | SSW 9 | S 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | SSW 10 | NNE 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
| kJ | 45 | 46 | 29 | 99 | 59 | 119 | 50 | 57 | 24 | 20 | 96 | 131 | 125 | 300 | 55 | 380 | 196 | 104 | 105 | 44 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | NNE 4 | S 9 | ENE 10 | SSW 6 | ENE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 11 | SSW 16 | S 16 | SSW 12 | S 7 | S 11 | NNE 9 | ENE 15 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 58 | 7 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 64 | 22 | 27 | 20 | 45 | 17 | 61 | 124 | 22 | 39 | 42 | 23 | 20 | 44 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | N 8 | NNE 5 | S 15 | NE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | S 16 | SSW 12 | SSE 7 | NE 15 | S 21 | ENE 15 | ENE 14 | NE 14 | NE 13 | S 11 |
| kJ | 11 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 45 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 22 | 18 | 29 | 28 | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | W 2 | — | NNE 3 | W 2 | W 3 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | N 8 | — | S 4 | SSE 6 | SSW 10 | — | — | N 3 | N 6 | WSW 3 |
| kJ | 7 | 1 | — | 10 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 21 | 78 | 167 | — | 10 | 8 | 640 | — | — | 1 | 18 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 115 | 11 | 64 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 24 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 196 | 24 | 24 | 35 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 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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