Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, S swell with 551 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 17s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 17s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 1.3m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 18s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let's have a look at what's cookin' for the next couple of weeks around here. Honestly, for the first week, it’s pretty quiet. From the 24th of August all the way through to the 28th, we're looking at small, weak stuff – not worth paddling out for. The swell energy is barely ticking over, with values like 39 and 45, just not enough to get excited about.
Then on the morning of Saturday the 29th of August, things start to change. We get a pulse of swell coming in from the S at 3ft, with a 12-second period, and the wind is offshore from the NW at 6 mph. That morning session at Whangara is the pick of the first week, with clean conditions and wave energy jumping to 572 – moderate, but the surf is still fairly small.
The real standout, and the one to circle on your calendar, is the morning of Tuesday the 1st of September. We're looking at a solid 10ft swell from the S with a 10-second period, and light, offshore winds from the NNE at 6 mph. That's clean, punchy, and the combined wave energy hits 1845 – strong. This is for experienced surfers only, it's no place for learners. The afternoon gets even bigger at 12ft with a 14-second period, but that's predicted to be too big and maybe a bit messy for this spot.
After that, the swell drops back quickly. Wednesday the 2nd of September still has some size at 7ft in the morning, but the wind picks up to 16 mph, making it a bit average. By the 3rd, it's fading fast, and from the 4th of September onward, we're back to tiny, weak surf with strong winds. There's a long, quiet run from the 4th through to the 8th of September with hardly anything worth mentioning, just a few 0.7ft to 1.0ft leftovers.
So, bottom line: if you want waves, wait for the morning of Saturday the 29th for a small, clean session, or the morning of Tuesday the 1st of September for the big, expert-level swell. The rest of the window is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 17 | ESE 12 | E 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 15 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 34 | 35 | 45 | 42 | 31 | 39 | 43 | 42 | 92 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 34 | 420 | 280 | 266 | 198 | 146 | 98 | 66 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | off |
High Tide | 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 | 7:09AM1.38m | 7:31PM1.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:21PM0.20m | 1:51AM0.18m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 11 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 11 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | S 11 | S 10 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 218 | 193 | 838 | 405 | 294 | 205 | 304 | 454 | 210 | 1051 | 2217 | 1416 | 820 | 663 | 420 | 280 | 125 | 73 | 146 | 98 | 41 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | SSW 16 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSW 17 | S 16 | S 10 | SE 13 | S 17 | ESE 12 | E 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | S 12 | S 11 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | S 10 |
| kJ | 34 | 53 | 45 | 42 | 59 | 126 | 77 | 42 | 92 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 34 | 29 | 45 | 266 | 198 | 25 | 38 | 66 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | ESE 13 | NE 11 | NNE 4 | ESE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | NE 10 | SE 12 | NE 10 | — | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | — | SSE 15 | SE 13 | NE 8 | N 7 | NE 8 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 5 | 35 | 5 | 3 | 31 | 39 | 43 | 4 | 38 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | 3 | — | 42 | 44 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 46 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 5 | N 4 | — | — | — | — | NNE 10 | — | — | — | NE 4 | NNE 3 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | N 7 | NW 3 | W 2 | — | SSW 3 |
| kJ | — | 2 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | 43 | 56 | 205 | 240 | 2 | 1 | — | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 62 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 22 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 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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