
Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period, NE swell with 100 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s 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 (Sep 10) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 0.6m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 15s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Whangara’s got cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
First thing's first, the water temp is sittin' around 56°F, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year—no major surprises there.
Now, the outlook. Honestly, for the first ten days, it’s a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak waves and poor conditions. From Thursday the 10th right through to Sunday the 20th of September, it’s mostly small, messy slop—nothing worth paddling out for. There are a few mornings with clean conditions and a light offshore, but the swell is just too small, barely scraping 1ft. You’ll be bobbing around more than surfing.
There’s a real gap here, over a week of nothing much to get excited about.
Then things get interesting—but only for the brave. Monday the 21st of September rolls in with a massive pulse of swell. We’re talkin’ 21ft from the SSE, with a combined energy reading over 10,000—that’s enormous. The wind is light and cross-offshore in the morning, so the conditions would be clean, but that size is just plain dangerous for this spot. It’s not a beginner’s day; it’s a “stay on the beach and watch” kinda day. The swell is too big for Whangara, so unless you’re a absolute charger in a boat, give it a miss.
Tuesday the 22nd is still wild, with 18ft swell but the wind swings to a fresh cross-shore, making it lumpy and tough. Still only for experts, if anyone’s game.
The first real standout for a surf comes on Thursday the 24th of September. The swell has dropped to 10ft from the SSE, which is still a solid, powerful groundswell with a 10-second period. The wind is a clean offshore from the NW, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. The combined wave energy is 2028—still strong. This is your best bet for the whole forecast window: proper, heavy waves at Whangara (a beach and reef setup) with clean winds. But look, 10ft is big; this is not a day for learners.
Friday the 25th sees the swell drop to 4ft from the SE with onshore wind, and the quality goes downhill again. The window of decent surf is short, and it's all about that Thursday morning.
So, to wrap it up: a long flat spell, then a brief window of huge, expert-only swell, with Thursday the 24th morning offering the cleanest and most powerful ride. Keep your eyes on that one, but don’t get your hopes up for much else.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 7 | SE 8 | NE 12 | NE 13 | SE 7 | NE 9 | SSW 6 | S 6 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | S 9 | NE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
77 | 55 | 39 | 60 | 19 | 40 | 52 | 52 | 80 | 53 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 28 | 21 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross |
High Tide | 4:54PM1.57m | 5:22AM1.48m | 5:49PM1.58m | 6:16AM1.51m | 6:41PM1.58m | 7:08AM1.52m | 7:30PM1.57m | 7:57AM1.52m | 8:18PM1.54m | 8:45AM1.51m | 9:05PM1.49m | 9:31AM1.49m | 9:51PM1.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:36AM0.11m | 11:14PM0.11m | 11:34AM0.10m | 00:09AM0.08m | 12:29PM0.09m | 1:00AM0.07m | 1:21PM0.10m | 1:49AM0.07m | 2:11PM0.11m | 2:36AM0.10m | 2:59PM0.15m | 3:22AM0.14m | 3:46PM0.19m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 10 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 7 | S 7 | NE 8 | SSW 17 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | NNE 4 |
77 | 55 | 34 | 34 | 91 | 54 | 24 | 476 | 1911 | 2760 | 1754 | 932 | 934 | 663 | 441 | 274 | 158 | 90 | 67 | 28 | 7 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | NE 13 | S 18 | S 18 | SSW 17 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | E 9 | NNE 5 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | SSW 4 |
23 | 17 | 29 | 60 | 173 | 156 | 100 | 43 | 80 | 53 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 6 | 5 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | NE 12 | SSW 14 | SE 7 | NE 9 | NE 13 | NE 8 | SE 6 | N 10 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | SSW 16 | NNE 4 | SE 11 | S 14 | NE 12 |
22 | 21 | 39 | 62 | 19 | 40 | 44 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 24 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | N 4 | N 6 | S 3 | — | WSW 2 | SSW 6 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NNE 4 | N 4 | N 4 | N 3 | W 2 |
3 | 5 | 22 | 4 | — | 1 | 52 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 15 | 0 | 24 | 62 | 11 | 28 | 51 | 0 | 11 | 326 | 11 | 11 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 62 |
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.










