Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.6°C
0.4° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, SE swell with 306 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s 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 (Sep 09) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. 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 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 16s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 9th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 8s
Best Surf 9AM (Wed 9th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 8s
Most Powerful 9AM (Wed 9th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, listen up. Rusty here. Let's get into what's cooking for Whangara.

The next couple of days are a mixed bag. We've got a window of clean waves coming up, especially Wednesday morning, but the swell is a bit short and choppy for the rest of the week. The real action is a week away, on the 23rd of September.

So, Wednesday morning the 9th is our first real play. Whangara is seeing a 5ft swell pushing in from the SE, with a short 8-second period. The wind is a light cross-off from the West, so it's clean. The energy's got some punch to it (326). It's a decent start, but that period means it might be a bit jumbled. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. After that, Thursday the 10th drops right off, with waist-high slop and glassy conditions in the afternoon, but it's not enough to get excited about.

Then the forecast goes flat for a solid week. From Friday the 11th right through to the 18th of September, we're looking at tiny, weak waves with mostly poor conditions. There's a gap of nothing worth paddling out for. A few mornings are clean, but the swell is basically zero. It’s a long stretch of quiet water.

Now, hang on, because things change around the 20th of September. Sunday the 20th has a pulse of new swell – 3ft from the North with fresh offshore winds. It’s still small, but the wind's in your face and clean. Monday the 21st afternoon throws in a bit of a curveball with a 3ft swell from the South, but it's a very long 16-second period and a massive energy spike (515). A long period south swell at a fairly exposed beach and reef setup like Whangara? It'll be fat and straightening out, so not a standout. Energy is moderate to strong, but the shape will be tricky.

The real standout – the one you circle on the calendar – is Wednesday the 23rd of September. Morning session looks magic. We've got a solid 6ft swell from the SSE, with a 12-second period. That's proper groundswell energy – legs straight off the couch. The wind is light offshore from the NNW, so it'll be glassy. The combined energy is pumping at 998, which is strong. This is a proper session for those who can handle it. Afternoon on the 23rd drops to 5ft but still clean with offshore winds. The 22nd of September afternoon looks like a monster 12ft swell, but the wind is cross-shore and it's way too big for a clean paddle. Save that for the big-wave crew.

So, if you're not a beginner, the 23rd of September morning at Whangara is the one to chase. It’s still a week out, so keep an eye on the charts, but the signs are good. The first week is mostly a write-off, but the second week offers a real reward.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sat morning, calm by Sun night).

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
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)
2
SSE
8
1.6
SE
8
1.4
SE
8
1.1
SE
8
0.8
SE
7
0.7
SE
8
0.4
NE
12
0.4
NE
13
0.7
SE
7
0.6
SE
6
0.4
NE
13
0.4
NE
13
1.4
S
8
0.4
NE
12
0.4
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.4
N
4
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
534
306
210
125
77
57
39
60
47
25
44
43
246
38
38
23
23
23
5
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
5
W
15
NE
15
NNW
15
NW
5
WSW
10
W
10
SSW
10
SW
10
WNW
30
SW
25
SSW
10
NNW
15
WSW
20
S
5
WNW
10
N
5
ENE
15
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross
off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
3:24AM1.45m
3:57PM1.56m
4:24AM1.46m
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
Low Tide
9:16PM0.17m
9:37AM0.12m
10:16PM0.14m
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
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:16
6:13
6:13
6:11
6:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
 mm
5
1
1
Temp °C
8
13
12
10
16
16
12
11
11
10
12
11
7
13
12
10
15
16
13
Feels °C
4
11
9
7
12
14
9
9
9
6
5
5
4
7
7
8
12
14
10
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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