Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.7° C
0.9° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 13s period, S swell with 9,676 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s 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 5.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.5m 13s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 21st Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 11s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 27th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 27th Jul)18ft (5.5m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Whangara's got coming up over the next couple of weeks. It's been a bit of a slow start, but there are a couple of windows that'll get the stoke back.

First off, the water's at 56.7°F – about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The early part of the week is pretty ordinary. Monday the 20th is a write-off – cross-shore winds and a choppy 3ft ESE swell with moderate energy (370). Nothing to get excited about. Tuesday the 21st is small and clean in the morning with a 2.3ft SE swell (123 energy), but it's weak and the wind swings cross-on in the arvo. Not worth paddling out for.

Now, Wednesday the 22nd – that's a proper little gem. Morning shows a clean 4.3ft S swell with a 12-second period and light offshore WNW breeze. Combined energy's at 554 – moderate but punchy. The afternoon goes glassy with the same 3.9ft S swell (445 energy). That's your best bet early on. Whangara's a beach-and-reef setup, fairly exposed, and with a NW offshore it'll be clean. Crowds can be around sometimes, but midweek should be mellow.

Thursday the 23rd dips again – small 1.6ft S swell in the morning (71 energy) and the wind picks up in the arvo. Friday and Saturday are tiny – 1ft to 2ft – and Sunday the 26th gets messy with a near gale cross-shore. Not worth it.

Now, Monday the 27th throws a massive 16.4ft S swell (7027 energy) – that's huge, way too big for this break. Only for experts if they're keen, but the wave comment says it's too big, so I'd steer clear. Tuesday the 28th drops to 4.9ft ESE but with a cross-off wind and moderate energy (1215). Still a bit tricky with the cross-chop in the arvo.

The real standout comes on Wednesday the 29th. The afternoon session delivers a 5.6ft ESE swell, 13-second period, clean cross-off wind from the WNW, and combined energy at 917 – solid, strong waves. The wave comment says "expect very good surf conditions" – that's the one to circle. Thursday the 30th is also good: morning 3.6ft SE (388 energy) with a light cross-off, then afternoon goes glassy with a 3.6ft SE (345). Clean, lined up.

After that, it fades again. Friday the 31st morning has a 2ft SE (104 energy) but the wind howls in the arvo. The first week of August is all cross-shore slop with small, short-period swell. Not worth chasing.

So, bottom line: Wednesday the 22nd and Wednesday the 29th afternoon are your standouts. The 29th has the better energy and longer period, making it the pick of the bunch. Get out there if you can.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu morning, fresh winds from the W by Sat night).

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
0
1
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
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)
0.9
ESE
12
0.9
ESE
12
0.8
ESE
11
0.7
SE
11
0.7
ESE
11
0.6
ESE
11
1.3
S
12
1.2
S
12
0.6
S
11
0.5
S
9
0.5
S
12
0.4
SSE
11
0.3
SSE
10
0.3
S
10
1.3
N
6
0.3
SE
13
0.6
E
12
0.7
SE
15
0.8
ESE
14
0.9
ESE
14
0.9
ESE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
247
215
160
123
109
78
510
400
82
41
71
39
20
17
135
27
100
229
257
342
290
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
20
SSW
10
SW
15
WSW
5
S
10
NW
5
WNW
5
E
10
W
5
NNW
20
NNE
10
NW
10
NNW
15
NNW
20
WNW
30
WSW
20
SW
20
NW
30
WNW
55
SSW
30
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
10:33AM1.49m
10:55PM1.54m
11:25AM1.44m
11:45PM1.47m
12:16PM1.40m
00:34AM1.40m
1:06PM1.37m
1:23AM1.35m
1:55PM1.34m
2:12AM1.31m
2:44PM1.33m
3:01AM1.29m
3:32PM1.34m
Low Tide
4:44PM0.12m
5:16AM0.11m
5:35PM0.19m
6:04AM0.16m
6:26PM0.25m
6:51AM0.22m
7:15PM0.31m
7:38AM0.27m
8:04PM0.35m
8:25AM0.31m
8:53PM0.37m
9:12AM0.32m
9:42PM0.38m
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:12
 mm
1
1
1
5
2
Temp °C
11
11
11
10
11
9
11
11
10
12
13
10
15
14
12
11
12
12
9
8
7
Feels °C
7
7
7
7
9
7
9
9
8
9
8
7
11
10
9
4
6
7
1
-4
-1
  • 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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