Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, NNE swell with 293 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 29) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. 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 1.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 12s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for us here.
Overall, it’s a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a couple of genuine highlights, but plenty of flat or ordinary days in between, so you’ll need to pick your moments.
First up, the only real action in the early part is a standout on Wednesday the 2nd of September at Whangara. That morning, a solid 8ft south swell with a 12-second period rolls in, and the wind’s out of the WNW at 12 mph – that’s proper offshore, clean as a whistle. The combined wave energy is strong at 2268. This one’s for experienced surfers only – too big for beginners, and the power in those sets will have your heart pumping. The water’s sitting at 56°, a touch cooler than average for this time of year, so don’t forget the extra rubber. Get out there for the morning session; by arvo it drops right off.
After that, the week gets quiet. From Thursday the 3rd right through to the following Tuesday the 8th of September, it’s mostly tiny, weak, or messy – a real gap with nothing worth paddling out for. A few offshore days but only ankle-snappers around 0.7ft to 1ft.
Then we get a glimmer on Wednesday the 9th of September in the morning. Whangara picks up a 3ft south swell at 10 seconds, with fresh offshore wind from the NW at 22 mph. Wave energy is moderate at 175. It’s clean and rideable, but not the standout of the window.
The real sleeper, and honestly the one that might get the blood pumping, lands on Saturday the 12th of September – that’s over a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it. The forecast shows a massive 13ft south swell with a period of 10 seconds, and light cross-shore wind from the NE at 3 mph. The combined energy is a whopping 3483. That said, it’s predicted to be too big for this break – definitely only for the most hardcore, experienced chargers, and even then, it’s a cautionary call. That one’s a long-range promise, so don’t bank on it yet, but if it comes together, it’ll be a day to remember.
Sunday the 13th of September offers a 4ft south-east swell, but the wind swings onshore, making it messy and not worth the hassle.
Bottom line: Wednesday the 2nd is your best early bet, and Saturday the 12th is the big wildcard later on. Everything else is a skip.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the W by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | SSE 11 | NNE 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 271 | 205 | 154 | 169 | 267 | 258 | 126 | 93 | 49 | 71 | 42 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 24 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 9 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:47PM1.45m | 7:09AM1.38m | 7:31PM1.47m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:35PM0.23m | 1:07AM0.22m | 1:21PM0.20m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — |
mm | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 14 | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 271 | 205 | 64 | 169 | 267 | 258 | 126 | 347 | 1134 | 972 | 539 | 2001 | 2887 | 2858 | 3456 | 1666 | 891 | 350 | 220 | 119 | 104 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 11 | S 17 | SSW 16 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 27 | 60 | 154 | 85 | 53 | 68 | 215 | 432 | 49 | 71 | 42 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 24 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 63 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 11 | SE 12 | SE 12 | S 4 | SSE 10 | SSW 8 | NE 9 | NNE 10 | NNW 4 | N 9 | NW 8 | N 11 | N 11 | — | N 11 | N 11 | N 8 | N 8 | ENE 10 | NNE 5 |
| kJ | 3 | 4 | 37 | 21 | 4 | 19 | 24 | 93 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 3 | — | 9 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | — | SW 2 | — | SW 6 | WSW 4 | — | W 3 | W 4 | S 10 | — | — | — | WNW 4 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 3 | N 4 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 69 | 91 | — | 1 | — | 13 | 12 | — | 7 | 9 | 904 | — | — | — | 25 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 225 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 28 | 17 | 24 | 19 | 40 | 35 | 51 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 24 |
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.
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