Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, S swell with 591 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 1.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 14s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what Whangara’s got cooking over the next couple of weeks. The numbers are a bit of a mixed bag but there’s definitely some light at the end of the tunnel.
The overall pattern? The first few days are a write-off for anything decent, with a bit of a gap before the real action picks up. We’ve got a long quiet spell from Sunday the 24th of August right through until the morning of Friday the 29th of August. That’s a solid five days with almost nothing worth paddling out for—just tiny dribbles of weak energy. Then, just when you’re about to write the whole window off, things start to look up.
The standout, the one I’m getting a bit excited about, lands on Saturday the 23rd of August in the afternoon. Whangara, a beach and reef set-up that’s fairly exposed and fairly consistent, lines up an absolute gem. Swell comes in at *4ft* from the south with a solid 12-second period, so proper groundswell. The combined energy is pumping at a solid 419, and the wind goes glassy—NW at 3 mph. That is as clean as it gets, boys and girls. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about 1° cooler than usual for this time of year, so nothing too wild, but you’ll want a good steamer. Crowds can pop up here sometimes, but for that quality, you honestly won’t mind sharing.
Now, if you’re a patient soul, there’s another promising pulse right at the tail end of the window. On the morning of Thursday the 4th of September, there’s a bigger south swell pushing *5ft* at 9 seconds, but a short-period bump like that at a beach-reef combo can get a bit closed out and messy. The wind looks good though—light NNW at 3 mph, cross-off— so it’ll be clean. The energy is hefty at 458, but it’s definitely one for the more experienced crew. Beginners, that 5ft is going to be a handful.
Before that, on the morning of Friday the 28th of August, there’s a nice little pulse of 3ft south swell with a long 16-second period. That deep, groundswell energy (441) will wrap into the point and reef sections beautifully, and with light offshore NW wind at 6 mph, the waves should be well-shaped and glassy. It won’t be massive, but it’ll be clean and fun for a Sunday morning.
Summing it up: the middle of the first week is a write-off. The absolute best bet is the glassy Saturday afternoon on the 23rd. The late-week windows around the 28th and 4th of September are worth keeping an eye on, but treat the 4th as a promising look, not a sure thing.
Get the wax ready for that 23rd.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
39 | 387 | 237 | 146 | 73 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 45 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 44 | 43 | 39 | 25 | 12 | 470 | 432 | 185 | 493 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | off | off | on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:51AM1.28m | 5:18PM1.39m | 5:38AM1.31m | 6:03PM1.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:01AM0.29m | 11:36PM0.31m | 11:48AM0.26m | 00:22AM0.26m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | N 4 | SSW 9 | S 10 | S 15 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 17 | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 |
480 | 387 | 237 | 146 | 73 | 9 | 259 | 468 | 1933 | 669 | 418 | 240 | 133 | 90 | 300 | 1237 | 1471 | 573 | 521 | 613 | 493 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | S 16 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSW 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | SE 14 |
39 | 18 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 190 | 45 | 42 | 40 | 84 | 220 | 205 | 33 | 25 | 12 | 470 | 432 | 185 | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 14 | SE 11 | NE 13 | NE 13 | SSE 9 | N 5 | ESE 13 | NE 11 | NNE 4 | NNE 10 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | — | NE 10 | NNE 4 | NNE 10 | SE 15 | N 12 |
4 | 14 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 5 | 35 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 39 | 44 | 43 | 39 | — | 4 | 3 | 9 | 34 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 2 | N 3 | N 4 | W 4 | — | — | N 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | N 5 | N 6 |
— | — | 1 | 1 | 18 | 12 | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 8 | 23 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 11 | 62 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 0 | 11 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











