Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 12 Sep 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 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 14 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 12s period, S swell with 1,520 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s period with NE 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period. 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 2.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 3AM. 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 14s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sun 13th Sep)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 14th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 12s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 14th Sep)8ft (2.4m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let's have a look at what Whangara's got cooking for us over the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, the next few days are a write-off. Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th are flat and messy, with a bit of cross-on breeze spoiling things. We're looking at a pretty dry spell until Tuesday the 15th, so don't bother paddling out this weekend.

Now, Tuesday the 15th is where we finally see a flicker of life. The morning session at Whangara is the first real standout. We've got a clean 5ft S’ly swell rolling in, and the wind is glassy. That's a beautiful thing to see. The energy is moderate (450). It's not huge, but for a Tuesday morning with no one around, you could get some fun ones to yourself. Keep in mind, the water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about average for this time of year, so you'll want a decent wetsuit.

The rest of that week is pretty average. We get some small S’ly pulses, but the winds are fickle – cross-off, onshore – nothing to get overly excited about. Friday the 18th morning has a 5ft SE swell with a long 13-second period (713), but it's got a cross-shore wind on it, which makes it a bit tricky. It's surfable, but not the pick.

Looking further out, Sunday the 27th is the one to circle on the calendar, but it's a long way off. The morning of the 27th has a solid 6ft S’ly groundswell with a 12-second period and clean offshore winds from the WNW. The energy is strong (942). That has the makings of a really good session if it comes together. The afternoon looks similar with a 6ft swell and clean offshore winds (753). Just remember, this is a weekend away, so the certainty drops off.

Alright, that's the story for Whangara. Keep an eye on that Sunday the 27th, and make the most of Tuesday the 15th if you're keen for a paddle.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
2
2
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
S
7
0.5
NE
13
0.4
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.2
NNE
11
1.4
S
11
1.2
S
10
1
S
9
0.9
S
9
0.7
S
9
0.6
S
8
0.7
SE
9
0.5
SE
11
0.9
SE
15
1.4
SE
13
1.3
SE
13
1.1
SE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
220
80
39
23
23
22
22
12
432
284
175
130
78
51
81
58
331
701
527
367
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
10
NNW
15
W
25
S
10
WSW
5
NNW
10
NE
10
N
5
NNW
25
NE
10
NNW
10
NNW
10
NE
15
WNW
20
WNW
15
N
10
NW
10
SW
15
E
5
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
6:41PM1.58m
7:08AM1.52m
7:30PM1.57m
7:57AM1.52m
8:18PM1.54m
8:45AM1.51m
9:05PM1.49m
9:31AM1.49m
9:51PM1.45m
10:16AM1.45m
10:36PM1.39m
11:01AM1.41m
11:21PM1.34m
Low Tide
1:00AM0.07m
1:21PM0.10m
1:49AM0.07m
2:11PM0.11m
2:36AM0.10m
2:59PM0.15m
3:22AM0.14m
3:46PM0.19m
4:06AM0.19m
4:32PM0.24m
4:51AM0.24m
5:18PM0.29m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:09
6:07
6:05
6:05
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:57
5:58
5:59
 mm
2
3
Temp °C
12
10
14
14
11
11
11
11
14
14
12
17
18
13
16
17
13
12
13
13
Feels °C
7
9
9
9
8
9
8
9
10
9
9
14
15
10
12
13
10
10
10
11
  • 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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