Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.4° 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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, S swell with 502 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 13s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Fri 21st Aug)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 21st Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 17s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 21st Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the Gizzy region, specifically Whangara.

Right now, things are quiet. We’ve got a gap of a few days with almost nothing worth paddling out for. The first real session to get keen on is the morning of Friday the 21st of August. Clean lines from the south, a solid 3ft with a very long period of 17 seconds – that’s real groundswell, lots of energy behind it (835). The wind is light offshore from the WNW, so it’ll be glassy. This is a proper morning session. Keep in mind that long-period south swell can run a bit straight on the beach, but Whangara’s a beach and reef setup, so the reef might line it up nicely. You’ll want to be alert for crowds though – it can get busy when it’s clean like this.

Friday arvo, the wind swings cross-shore from the ENE and the swell bumps up to 3ft, but the energy drops a touch (694). It’s not bad, but the morning is where it’s at.

Saturday the 22nd serves up a bit of a mixed bag. The morning is small at 2ft from the SE with a short period (9 seconds) and weak energy (43) – not worth the wetsuit. The afternoon looks better: 4ft south swell, 12-second period, moderate energy (419), with a clean offshore breeze from the WNW. That’s a good afternoon window, clean and rideable.

Sunday the 23rd is average. Both morning and afternoon have offshore wind, but the swell is small (3ft and 2ft) and the energy is low to moderate (187 and 113). Ordinary conditions – you’d be surfing but not writing home about it.

From Monday the 24th through to around Saturday the 29th of August, it’s mostly flat or just tiny windswell. Lots of days with swell under 1.0ft and poor energy levels – a real dry spell. Don’t bother.

Now, here’s the standout. Circle Monday the 31st of August on the calendar. That morning, Whangara is going to fire. We’ve got a solid 10ft south swell, very long period of 15 seconds, and the combined energy is massive – 4435. The wind is glassy, dead calm, with a slight air. This is big, clean, powerful groundswell. It’s for experienced surfers only – 10ft is too much for beginners. The long period means it’ll be lining up nicely on the reef, with longer waits between sets. If you’ve got the skills, this is the best session in the whole run. The afternoon stays big (10ft) but the wind goes cross-shore from the ENE, so the morning is the window.

Tuesday the 1st of September is still pumping – 6ft south swell, 12-second period, clean conditions in the morning with light cross-offshore wind. Energy is still high (1473). Good for experienced crew. The afternoon gets a messy cross-shore wind, so bag the morning.

Wednesday the 2nd brings another solid day: 7ft south swell, 12 seconds, clean in the morning with moderate energy (1313). That’s a big, clean day for those who know what they’re doing.

Thursday the 3rd settles a little to 4ft, but still with offshore winds and clean conditions – a more comfortable size for a broader range of surfers. Energy is moderate (571).

After that, it trails off again into small, ordinary surf through the end of the forecast.

So, the standout call is the morning of Monday the 31st of August at Whangara – big, glassy, powerful south groundswell. Don’t sleep on it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
1
0
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
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)
0.5
S
17
0.8
S
17
1
S
16
0.6
S
16
0.5
SE
9
1.2
S
12
1
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.6
S
10
0.3
S
10
0.3
ESE
13
0.3
ESE
13
0.3
ESE
13
0.2
ESE
13
0.2
ESE
13
0.2
ESE
13
0.2
ESE
13
0.2
ESE
13
0.2
ESE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
148
346
502
185
39
387
237
146
73
17
34
35
35
17
17
17
18
17
15
Wind (km/h)
10
W
10
WNW
10
ENE
10
NNW
20
WNW
15
WNW
25
NW
20
NNW
20
NW
25
W
10
W
10
SE
10
NNW
10
WNW
10
ENE
15
NW
15
WNW
15
S
5
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
on
off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
11:58PM1.37m
12:27PM1.37m
00:46AM1.32m
1:15PM1.34m
1:34AM1.29m
2:05PM1.32m
2:23AM1.27m
2:54PM1.32m
3:13AM1.26m
3:44PM1.33m
4:02AM1.26m
4:32PM1.35m
Low Tide
6:13AM0.26m
6:39PM0.32m
6:59AM0.30m
7:27PM0.36m
7:46AM0.33m
8:16PM0.38m
8:35AM0.34m
9:07PM0.39m
9:23AM0.34m
9:57PM0.37m
10:13AM0.32m
10:47PM0.35m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:46
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:39
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
5:38
 mm
Temp °C
10
12
12
10
14
16
12
15
15
13
13
13
11
15
15
13
16
15
12
Feels °C
7
10
9
7
10
12
7
9
11
8
9
9
7
13
12
10
13
11
11
  • 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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