Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, N swell with 401 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period with S 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 13s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a tricky 16-day stretch ahead for the Gisborne region, with Whangara as our only option. The first week is pretty grim, but there’s a silver lining late in the second week that’s got me a bit excited.
Right now, it’s looking flat and poor. Sunday the 23rd served up some tiny 3ft S swell with 19 mph NW offshore winds, but it was ordinary. That’s the best we get until the following Saturday. Monday through Friday of the coming week are a write-off – we’re talking ankle-to-knee-high dribble with negligible energy, and the odd clean spell won’t save it. You’re better off waxing a longboard and just floating.
Then, on Saturday the 29th of August, things finally switch on. Whangara (beach and reef) gets a pulse of 3ft S groundswell with a solid 12-second period and light NW offshore winds. The combined energy jumps to (377) – that’s moderate energy, and the conditions are described as expecting good surf. The water’s sitting at 56°, about 2° cooler than normal for this time of year, so pack a steamer. That Saturday morning looks like the standout session of the whole run: clean, lined-up waves with enough push for a fun ride. The next day, Sunday the 30th, drops off with a messy NE windswell and fresh breezes – not worth paddling out for.
After that, we limp through another flat stretch from Monday 31st through to Sunday 6th September. A couple of 2ft to 2ft N swells roll in, but the energy is weak and the quality is poor. You’ll be scratching your head.
Then, hold on to your board. On Monday the 7th of September, the model throws up a massive 15ft S groundswell with a 12-second period and combined energy readings of (5720). That’s very strong energy – but the file warns the swell is too big for this break. Even with light winds, it’ll be a washing machine for anyone but top-end experts. The beach-break setup will be surging and straight; this is more of a novelty to watch than paddle. Definitely not the highlight.
So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Saturday 29th August morning at Whangara. Clean, 3ft S swell with offshore winds and glassy conditions. It’s not huge, but after a week of nothing, it’ll feel like a gift. The long-range swell on 7th September is for the brave only.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 11 | S 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 16 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 146 | 73 | 33 | 34 | 125 | 45 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 43 | 42 | 38 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 6 | 21 | 321 | 229 | 169 | 54 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 2:05PM1.32m | 2:23AM1.27m | 2:54PM1.32m | 3:13AM1.26m | 3:44PM1.33m | 4:02AM1.26m | 4:32PM1.35m | 4:51AM1.28m | 5:18PM1.39m | 5:38AM1.31m | 6:03PM1.42m | 6:24AM1.34m | 6:47PM1.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:16PM0.38m | 8:35AM0.34m | 9:07PM0.39m | 9:23AM0.34m | 9:57PM0.37m | 10:13AM0.32m | 10:47PM0.35m | 11:01AM0.29m | 11:36PM0.31m | 11:48AM0.26m | 00:22AM0.26m | 12:35PM0.23m | 1:07AM0.22m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | N 4 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | S 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 |
| kJ | 146 | 73 | 10 | 173 | 328 | 1138 | 554 | 347 | 198 | 106 | 454 | 273 | 819 | 1160 | 1313 | 1065 | 644 | 321 | 229 | 85 | 39 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 16 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 15 | S 17 | SE 13 | NNE 3 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | S 12 | S 10 |
| kJ | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 125 | 45 | 42 | 40 | 119 | 217 | 42 | 2 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 6 | 21 | 18 | 28 | 169 | 54 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | NE 13 | SSE 9 | N 5 | ESE 13 | NE 11 | NNE 11 | SSW 18 | SE 12 | SE 13 | NE 10 | SE 12 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | N 12 | NNE 11 | NE 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 7 | 7 | 17 | 5 | 35 | 5 | 11 | 61 | 39 | 43 | 4 | 38 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 12 | 29 | 61 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 2 | N 4 | WSW 4 | — | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | N 4 | W 3 | — | — | N 4 | NNE 6 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 12 | 13 | — | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | 5 | — | — | 13 | 122 | 91 | 108 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 17 | 11 | 22 | 8 | 11 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 22 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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