Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 26 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.6° C
0.8° 

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


Whangara surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, SSE swell with 3,518 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period with SSE 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 3.0m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Tue 28th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 28th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 28th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, mate. Rusty here with the look ahead for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up for the Whangara stretch, but there’s definitely a window to get excited about. The water’s sitting at a normal 56.5°F for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.

The immediate zone is pretty grim. Starting Sunday the 26th, it’s a mess with onshore wind and lumpy, low-quality surf. That carries right through Monday and Tuesday, with the swell getting big and messy, but the wind just chops it all to bits. You can pretty much give those days a miss unless you’re desperate for a paddle out back.

Things finally turn the corner on Wednesday morning the 29th. That’s the standout of the whole forecast. We’ve got a clean 6.9ft swell coming from the ESE with a solid 12-second period grinding into the beach and reef. The wind is light offshore from the NW – glassy as it gets. Conditions are going to be pristine for experienced surfers. The combined energy is ranking up strong at 1342, so there’s proper push in the water. This is the one to circle on the calendar. Be aware though, this spot can get a crowd sometimes, so get in early.

Thursday the 30th is still a solid option. Swell drops a touch to 4.6ft from the same ESE direction, still a good 11-second period. Another morning of clean offshore NW breeze keeps it tidy. It won't be as powerful as Wednesday, but definitely a good, fun session.

By Friday the 31st, the wind shifts around, but the afternoon shows some promise with a 6.6ft groundswell from the north and a gentle offshore, cleaning it up for a decent session. The Saturday and Sunday that follow are tiny and weak, not worth the effort.

After that, the forecast gets a bit wild. The first week of August sees a lot of rain, howling southerly winds, and massive, chunky swell. By Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th of August, we’re looking at 9.8ft to 13.1ft of wind-affected slop with combined energies over 1772 and up to 3558. That’s a heap of raw power, but with onshore winds, it’s more of a survival mission or a kite session than a clean paddle in. Leave it for the experts only, if anyone.

There’s a small window late in the run on Thursday the 6th of August. The morning looks glassy with a clean 5.2ft SSE swell. It’s not huge, but if you want a peaceful paddle in clean conditions, that’s your shout. The following Monday the 10th of August also has a clean 4.9ft south swell with light offshore winds, looking like a very good session, but it’s a long way out so keep an eye on it.

Overall, Wednesday the 29th of July is the absolute pick of the fortnight. Get on it.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun morning, min 5°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Mon morning, calm by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Wed morning, fresh winds from the NNE by Fri morning).

Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
3
4
1
3
2
2
1
0
2
2
1
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
ESE
15
1.3
ESE
13
1.4
ESE
13
1.5
ESE
13
3
S
9
2.5
SSE
10
3
SE
13
2.5
SE
13
2.3
SE
13
2.1
ESE
12
2
ESE
12
1.7
ESE
12
1.4
ESE
11
1.3
ESE
11
1.2
ESE
11
2
N
6
2
N
7
1.4
N
7
0.6
SE
14
0.6
SE
15
0.6
SE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
372
596
643
769
1337
1429
2655
2270
1723
1342
1144
833
513
401
319
324
447
209
167
181
125
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
25
SSW
20
SW
25
WSW
30
SW
25
SSW
20
SSW
20
SSW
5
SSW
5
NW
20
NE
15
NW
15
NW
15
NW
15
N
30
NNE
15
NNW
15
NW
10
NNW
10
N
10
SW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
cross
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
3:32PM1.34m
3:49AM1.28m
4:20PM1.35m
4:36AM1.29m
5:06PM1.37m
5:23AM1.30m
5:52PM1.39m
6:09AM1.31m
6:37PM1.42m
6:54AM1.32m
7:20PM1.44m
7:38AM1.33m
8:02PM1.45m
Low Tide
9:12AM0.32m
9:42PM0.38m
9:59AM0.32m
10:32PM0.37m
10:47AM0.31m
11:21PM0.35m
11:34AM0.28m
00:09AM0.32m
12:21PM0.26m
00:55AM0.29m
1:06PM0.24m
1:40AM0.27m
1:50PM0.23m
2:23AM0.24m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:12
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
 mm
4
2
1
Temp °C
11
10
8
10
10
10
11
11
11
12
13
10
14
14
12
13
16
12
13
14
11
Feels °C
5
3
2
2
3
5
5
6
7
9
8
7
10
10
7
8
13
8
11
12
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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