Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 11s period, S swell with 6,653 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period with SE 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 9s period. 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 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM. 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 19) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty.
You know, looking at this 16-day window for the Gisborne region, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a bit of a rough patch. We’ve got a solid gap of pretty average conditions to kick things off before we finally see a window of opportunity towards the end. The overall pattern is dominated by these strong westerly and southerly winds that are just messing up the surface, making it hard to find anything clean and fun.
The first real chance of a surf is going to be Whangara on the morning of Friday the 21st of August. We’re looking at a small 4ft swell from the southeast with a moderate period of 11 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate at 263. The real standout here is the wind: it’s a light offshore from the northwest, only 3 mph. That’s going to keep things clean. The swell is small, so it’s not going to be pumping, but it’s a chance to get wet without getting blown off your board. This is a fairly consistent beach and reef break, so you can usually find something.
The next little window comes on the morning of Sunday the 23rd of August. The swell has dropped even more to 2ft from the south, but the wind is a moderate offshore from the northwest at 16 mph. The wave energy is weak at 141, so it’s going to be very small, but clean. It’s an option if you’re desperate.
Now, the real standout of the entire forecast is the morning of Saturday the 29th of August. This is the one to circle. The swell picks up to 5ft from the north, with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined energy climbs to a strong 370. The wind is a gentle offshore from the north at 9 mph, which will keep the surface clean. The swell size is just over 5ft, so it’s probably getting a bit punchy for the total beginners, but for the average surfer, this is looking like the best bet. The swell direction is north-northeast, which is a little off the optimum for Whangara, which likes an east-northeast swell, but it’s close enough. The period is short, so it’ll be a bit more of a windswell feel, but the clean conditions and solid size make it the pick of the litter.
After that, the forecast drops back into small, onshore, and messy conditions for the rest of the window. It’s a classic case of waiting out the wind and hoping the next long-range chart brings something better.
Stay patient, stay salty.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Tue night, light winds from the NW by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | S 11 | S 11 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 11 | S 16 | S 16 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
350 | 0 | 6418 | 649 | 798 | 319 | 221 | 168 | 263 | 396 | 129 | 41 | 19 | 149 | 106 | 48 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 36 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross | off |
High Tide | 10:24PM1.49m | 10:52AM1.45m | 11:11PM1.43m | 11:39AM1.41m | 11:58PM1.37m | 12:27PM1.37m | 00:46AM1.32m | 1:15PM1.34m | 1:34AM1.29m | 2:05PM1.32m | 2:23AM1.27m | 2:54PM1.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:42AM0.14m | 5:05PM0.21m | 5:28AM0.20m | 5:52PM0.27m | 6:13AM0.26m | 6:39PM0.32m | 6:59AM0.30m | 7:27PM0.36m | 7:46AM0.33m | 8:16PM0.38m | 8:35AM0.34m | 9:07PM0.39m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | 1 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 0 | -1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | — | SE 14 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSW 11 |
350 | — | 47 | 649 | 798 | 319 | 221 | 401 | 264 | 456 | 572 | 403 | 262 | 149 | 106 | 48 | 17 | 154 | 203 | 245 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 18 | — | — | — | SE 13 | ESE 13 | SSW 13 | ESE 9 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | NNE 5 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSW 15 | ESE 14 |
6 | — | — | — | 41 | 18 | 277 | 168 | 263 | 175 | 88 | 41 | 19 | 30 | 34 | 7 | 30 | 33 | 75 | 36 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 14 | S 17 | S 13 | S 16 | S 16 | E 15 | ESE 13 | ESE 8 | N 7 | ESE 13 | NNE 5 | N 5 | ESE 13 | SSW 19 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 147 | 229 | 396 | 129 | 4 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 32 | 5 | 2 | 34 | 68 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 14 | SSW 13 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | W 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | N 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | N 8 | — |
3301 | 6982 | 6418 | 3373 | 2680 | 2116 | 555 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 349 | 109 | 110 | 110 | 24 | 24 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 115 | 11 | 22 | 11 |
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.











