Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.3°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 30 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, S swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, S swell with 992 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 1.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 13s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Wed 2nd Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 17s
Best Surf 3PM (Wed 2nd Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 17s
Most Powerful 3PM (Wed 2nd Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next 16 days at Whangara are a bit of a mixed bag, with a lot of flat spells and only a couple of windows that’ll get the blood pumping. Most of the first week is pretty dismal, with small, weak swell and poor conditions, so you’ll want to be patient. The real standout is a short burst of clean, long-period groundswell on Wednesday the 2nd of September, and then again later in the second week, there’s a promising spike that could be worth a look.

Let’s start with the immediate outlook. From Monday the 31st of August through to Tuesday the 1st of September, it’s pretty hopeless. Swell is tiny – around 1 ft to 3 ft – with a short period, and the wind is either cross-off or cross, making for messy, poor surf. The combined energy is weak, with values under 100, so don’t even bother paddling out.

Then comes a real highlight. On Wednesday morning the 2nd of September, a south swell starts to fill in at 3 ft, with a long period of 18 seconds and a cross-off wind from the WNW. The energy jumps to 621 (moderate), and it’s clean. But the real magic happens Wednesday afternoon: the swell bumps up to 4 ft from the south, with a very long period of 17 seconds, and the wind drops to a glassy 3 mph from the NW. That’s a 1030 combined energy reading (strong), and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the best on offer – a proper groundswell at Whangara, which is a beach and reef setup that’s fairly exposed to the ENE. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, no big anomaly. Keep in mind that with a period over 15 seconds, this long-period swell can break a bit straight at beach breaks, but the reef here should handle it well. The wind is glassy, so it’ll be clean as a whistle. Crowds are “sometimes” an issue, so you might have a few others out, but it’s worth it.

After that, it dries up fast. Thursday the 3rd through Saturday the 5th of September sees tiny 0.7 ft to 1.0 ft swell with offshore winds, but the energy is pitiful – mostly under 30 – and the swell direction is all over the place. It’s clean but flat. Sunday the 6th of September has a brief spike of 7 ft from the NNE in the afternoon, but with a short period of 6 seconds and weak energy (300), it’s still poor surf. That’s too big for beginners and short period means it’s choppy, so it’s a no-go.

The second week is a long gap of nothing until Sunday the 13th of September. That afternoon, a solid 8 ft south swell rolls in with a period of 10 seconds and a combined energy of 1183 (very strong). It’s a marginal call with cross-shore wind, but if you’re an expert, that’s a big, powerful swell. The wind is from the NE at 9 mph, so it’s a bit cross, but the energy is there. Monday the 14th of September has a 4 ft south swell from the morning, but with cross-shore wind, it’s not clean. By Tuesday the 15th, it’s dropping off.

So, if you’re keen, mark Wednesday the 2nd of September as the standout – glassy, long-period groundswell, clean, and moderate energy. That’s the best you’ll get. For the second week, keep an eye on Sunday the 13th if you’re a big-wave charger, but it’s less certain. Stay patient, mate.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon morning, calm by Tue afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
3
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)
1.1
NE
9
0.8
NE
9
0.6
NE
9
0.5
NE
10
0.6
NE
10
0.4
NE
10
0.4
NNE
9
1
S
18
1.3
S
17
0.3
NE
9
0.3
NE
10
0.2
ENE
10
0.3
NE
10
0.2
ENE
10
0.3
SSE
9
0.3
N
9
0.2
ENE
10
0.2
S
15
0.3
ENE
4
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
179
93
59
52
61
33
35
600
992
14
14
11
17
11
16
13
11
17
2
Wind (km/h)
25
W
30
W
30
W
25
SW
25
SW
15
SSW
10
NW
15
WNW
5
NW
20
WNW
20
WNW
15
NW
15
NW
20
NW
15
NW
15
W
10
NNW
25
NE
10
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross
off
High Tide
7:54AM1.42m
8:14PM1.49m
8:39AM1.45m
8:59PM1.50m
9:25AM1.48m
9:46PM1.50m
10:13AM1.50m
10:35PM1.49m
11:04AM1.51m
11:27PM1.48m
11:59AM1.52m
00:23AM1.46m
Low Tide
1:51AM0.18m
2:07PM0.18m
2:35AM0.15m
2:53PM0.17m
3:20AM0.14m
3:41PM0.16m
4:06AM0.13m
4:31PM0.17m
4:54AM0.13m
5:23PM0.17m
5:46AM0.13m
6:17PM0.18m
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:30
6:28
6:26
6:24
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
 mm
2
Temp °C
14
16
17
14
10
11
10
16
17
14
18
19
15
17
17
15
15
16
12
Feels °C
8
9
11
7
4
6
4
13
15
9
15
16
12
13
14
11
11
11
9
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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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