Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
14.2° C
0.1° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, S swell with 6,136 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.5m 12s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Mon 3rd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 10s
Best Surf 3PM (Wed 5th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 12s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 5th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag, but the first real standout is shaping up nicely. Monday morning at Whangara is looking clean. We’re talking a 6ft swell from the south, with a moderate offshore breeze from the WNW. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, nothing unusual there. The energy in the water is moderate (686), and with a 11-second period, there’s some decent shape to it. The wind is offshore, so expect those waves to be holding up clean. It’s a beach and reef set-up, fairly exposed, and the swell is coming from the south, which is a bit off the optimum ENE direction, but it’s still working. Be aware, crowds are sometimes a thing here.

Monday afternoon goes glassy, with the swell dropping to 4ft from the SSE. It’ll be a nice, clean session, but not as much juice as the morning.

Tuesday is a write-off. Strong onshore winds and rain, and the swell is basically gone. Wednesday morning is even worse, with no swell showing. Wednesday afternoon, the swell jumps to a massive 15ft from the south, but the wind is a messy cross-onshore. That’s a lot of power (5226 combined energy), but it’s blown out and too big for this break. Honestly, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

From Thursday the 6th through to the 10th, the conditions are a bit ragged. You’ll see some clean windows, like Thursday morning with a 10ft south swell and a cross-off wind, but it’s marginal. Friday morning is a good one to keep an eye on: a 6ft SSE swell, light offshore breeze, and clean. That’s a solid option.

The first real standout of the whole period, the one you want to circle, is Saturday morning, August 8th. Whangara is going to be firing. A 7ft south swell, gentle offshore wind from the WNW, and an excellent forecast for experienced surfers. The period is 13 seconds, so there’s real groundswell energy in the water (1450). That’s the session to plan for. Saturday afternoon is also very good, with a 6ft south swell and offshore wind.

Sunday the 9th has a clean morning with a 4ft south swell, but it’s small. The rest of that week, from the 10th to the 13th, is a long run of poor conditions—strong winds, rain, and messy surf. A real dead zone.

Then, we get a bit of a surprise. Friday morning, August 14th, is clean but small. The afternoon, however, is worth a mention. A 8ft swell from the NNE, with a short period of 7 seconds, and clean conditions. The energy is moderate (832). It’s a bit short-period, so it’ll be a bit crumbly, but it’s clean.

The final standout, and it’s a long-range one so keep your fingers crossed, is Tuesday morning, August 18th. A 10ft south swell, 10-second period, with a gentle offshore wind. The combined energy is strong (1822), and it’s called excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a big swell, so only for the crew who know what they’re doing. The afternoon is also there, with a 8ft south swell, but it’s a bit more marginal.

So, the best of the lot is that Saturday morning, August 8th. Get on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, strong winds from the SSW by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
!
!
3
0
3
3
3
4
4
3
2
2
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
S
11
1.3
SSE
10
0.8
SSE
10
0.3
NE
12
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
12
5
S
12
4.5
S
12
3.5
S
12
3
S
11
1.6
SE
11
1.7
SSE
10
1.9
SSE
10
1.8
S
17
2.5
S
15
2
S
13
1.7
S
12
1.3
S
11
1.1
S
11
0.7
SSE
16
0.9
SSE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
669
377
109
23
14
14
0
5221
3159
1860
593
586
698
1794
2679
1359
833
418
279
266
327
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
0
WSW
15
W
40
SSW
35
SW
40
SW
40
SSW
35
SSW
25
SW
20
WSW
15
SSW
10
WNW
5
WNW
10
ENE
20
WNW
15
WNW
15
NW
15
NW
5
W
20
S
15
WSW
Wind State
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
9:05AM1.36m
9:25PM1.46m
9:49AM1.38m
10:08PM1.46m
10:35AM1.40m
10:54PM1.46m
11:24AM1.43m
11:44PM1.46m
12:16PM1.46m
00:38AM1.46m
1:13PM1.49m
1:36AM1.46m
2:12PM1.52m
2:36AM1.47m
Low Tide
3:17PM0.22m
3:48AM0.20m
4:02PM0.22m
4:31AM0.18m
4:49PM0.22m
5:17AM0.17m
5:38PM0.22m
6:05AM0.16m
6:32PM0.21m
6:58AM0.15m
7:28PM0.20m
7:54AM0.13m
8:28PM0.19m
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
 mm
3
3
10
2
2
3
Temp °C
14
16
11
8
7
7
9
8
8
9
10
8
10
12
11
14
14
12
13
13
10
Feels °C
10
14
8
0
-1
-4
-1
0
1
3
5
5
8
9
6
10
10
8
10
9
7
  • 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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