Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 26 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.7° C
0.7° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 13s period, S swell with 15,336 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 13s 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 13s 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 6.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 7.0m 13s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Wed 29th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 29th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 13s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sun 2nd Aug)21ft (6.5m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s run through what’s cooking for Whangara over the next couple weeks.

Water temp is 14°, about 0.7° cooler than average for the season—nothing wild, just a nippy winter feel.

We start with a quiet patch, then the first real chance comes Sunday 27 July morning: a clean 1.6m swell from the ESE at 13 seconds, with a cross-offshore wind out of the WSW at 20 km/h. Combined energy is 1419 (moderate). It’s not glassy, but it’s clean enough. That’s the best early offer.

The standout is Wednesday 29 July morning: 2.2m of SE swell at 12 seconds, wind from the WNW at just 5 km/h—light offshore, nearly glassy. Combined energy 1411 (moderate). It’s a beach and reef setup, exposed to an ENE-optimum direction. That’s the session to aim for.

Thursday 30 July keeps it clean: 1.5m and 1.4m ESE swell at 11 to 12 seconds, light offshore from the NNW and NW. Combined energy drops to 602 and 484 (weak), but still fun for smaller boards.

Friday 31 July afternoon: 1.9m north swell at 8 seconds, wind NNW at 15 km/h offshore, combined energy 790 (weak). Short period, but clean.

Saturday 1 August fades fast—0.7m SE with 15 to 16 seconds (very long period). That can break a bit straight at beach breaks, but it’s clean with light winds. Combined energy 362 and 326 (weak).

Then a rough patch from Sunday 2 August to Tuesday 4 August: strong cross-onshore winds, rain, combined energy jumping from 147 (weak) to over 9000 (strong). Swell hits 6.0m but it’s all mess. Don’t bother.

Wednesday 5 August morning: 3.5m SE at 12 seconds, combined energy 3681 (strong), light cross-off wind, clean—but 3.5m is expert-only at this break.

Thursday 6 August morning is the true standout: 2.5m SE swell at 11 seconds, NW wind at 5 km/h—dead offshore, glassy. Combined energy 1580 (moderate). That’s your best window for experienced surfers.

Friday 7 August morning: 1.9m ESE at 10 seconds, light W wind cross-off, combined energy 868 (weak). Clean but smaller.

From Saturday 8 August onward, it’s all big and nasty: 3.0m to 4.0m at 10 seconds, strong cross-onshore winds, combined energy over 2000 to 3552 (strong). That’s kite-surfing weather, not paddle.

So, lock in Wednesday 29 July morning and Thursday 6 August morning as the winners. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too big.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
1
1
2
0
3
4
1
3
2
2
1
2
2
1
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)
1.4
ESE
13
1.6
ESE
13
3
S
9
2.5
S
9
1.9
ESE
13
2.1
ESE
13
2.3
SE
13
2.2
SE
12
2.1
ESE
12
1.9
ESE
12
1.6
ESE
11
1.5
ESE
11
1.3
ESE
11
2.3
N
8
1
ESE
11
0.8
ESE
12
0.7
SE
16
0.7
SE
15
0.8
SE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
653
852
1306
1279
1207
1528
1819
1411
1256
980
665
534
380
634
278
186
251
233
281
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
25
WSW
35
SW
25
SSW
20
SSW
25
SSW
10
S
10
WNW
15
NE
10
NW
15
NW
15
NW
15
N
15
NNW
15
NW
15
WNW
10
NW
20
NE
15
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
3:49AM1.28m
4:20PM1.35m
4:36AM1.29m
5:06PM1.37m
5:23AM1.30m
5:52PM1.39m
6:09AM1.31m
6:37PM1.42m
6:54AM1.32m
7:20PM1.44m
7:38AM1.33m
8:02PM1.45m
Low Tide
9:42PM0.38m
9:59AM0.32m
10:32PM0.37m
10:47AM0.31m
11:21PM0.35m
11:34AM0.28m
00:09AM0.32m
12:21PM0.26m
00:55AM0.29m
1:06PM0.24m
1:40AM0.27m
1:50PM0.23m
2:23AM0.24m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
 mm
7
1
27
Temp °C
9
10
10
10
11
11
11
13
13
11
15
15
13
15
15
12
13
14
10
Feels °C
3
3
2
3
5
5
7
10
8
8
11
11
9
10
11
8
9
10
-1
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  • 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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