Whangara Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.58° S 178.21° E

Whangara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangara sea temperature is
13.9° 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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 19s period, S swell with 3,871 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period with ESE 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 21) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whangara in the next 16 days are 2.3m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 19s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Tue 21st Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 11s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 22nd Jul)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 20th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Whangara over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. Sunday the 19th has a clean 4ft, 13-second ESE groundswell pushing in with a light WSW cross-off breeze – the water’s sitting at 57°, which is about 1° cooler than usual for this time of year, nothing too wild. The morning session is actually pretty tidy, with moderate wave energy (572) and clean conditions. But by the afternoon, the wind swings SSW and picks up, putting a chop on it, so don’t expect much after lunch.

Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are a write-off. The swell drops and the wind is cross-on or cross, making things messy. We’re looking at a few days here with nothing worthwhile.

Wednesday the 22nd is where it perks up. A clean 5ft S swell, 12-second period, with a light NW offshore in the morning. The combined energy jumps to 638 – a solid moderate pulse. That’s the best call for the first week. The water’s still a touch cool, but the wind is glassy and the waves will have shape. The afternoon sees a shift to a light ENE cross-shore, so it’s still surfable but a notch down.

Thursday the 23rd has a small 2ft S swell early, but it’s clean and offshore. Not a standout, but a fun little wave if you’re keen. The rest of that week into the weekend stays small, with wind mostly cross-off or offshore, but the swell is too weak to get excited about.

Now, here’s the real gem. Hang in there. On Friday the 31st of July, we’ve got a solid 10ft S swell rolling in, 13-second period, and a massive 3085 combined energy. That’s strong to very strong. The wind is a light NW offshore in the morning – clean, glassy conditions. This is one for the experienced crew only; it’s over 8ft, so it’s expert territory. Whangara is a beach-and-reef setup, and with a long-period groundswell like that, the reef and point sections will handle it much better than the beach. Crowds are possible here, so pick your spot. The afternoon gets a bit tricky with a NE cross-shore, but the morning window is the standout of the whole outlook.

Saturday the 1st of August brings a drop to 5ft from the S, still with a light NW offshore in the morning. Clean, moderate energy (635), and a good option for those who missed the big Friday. After that, the swell fades fast into the first week of August, with tiny waves and offshore winds but not enough size to bother.

So, in short: the next few days are a bit of a dud, but Wednesday the 22nd gives you a clean, head-high S swell, and the real treat is Friday the 31st – a big, powerful S groundswell with offshore wind for the experts. The long-range stuff is promising but less certain, so keep an eye on the forecasts.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
ESE
13
1.2
ESE
13
1
ESE
12
0.9
ESE
12
0.9
ESE
12
0.8
ESE
11
0.7
SE
11
0.7
ESE
11
0.6
ESE
11
1.4
S
12
1.2
S
12
0.7
S
11
0.6
S
9
0.6
S
12
0.4
SSE
11
0.5
E
9
0.6
E
8
0.6
E
9
0.7
E
10
0.5
SE
16
0.7
SE
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
572
430
304
247
215
160
123
109
78
591
400
112
61
98
38
38
49
60
96
129
223
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
20
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSW
20
S
10
S
10
SW
5
S
10
NW
5
NW
5
ENE
10
WNW
5
NW
20
NNE
15
NW
15
N
15
N
20
WNW
25
WNW
20
NW
25
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
off
off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
9:39AM1.52m
10:04PM1.61m
10:33AM1.49m
10:55PM1.54m
11:25AM1.44m
11:45PM1.47m
12:16PM1.40m
00:34AM1.40m
1:06PM1.37m
1:23AM1.35m
1:55PM1.34m
2:12AM1.31m
2:44PM1.33m
Low Tide
3:52PM0.06m
4:26AM0.06m
4:44PM0.12m
5:16AM0.11m
5:35PM0.19m
6:04AM0.16m
6:26PM0.25m
6:51AM0.22m
7:15PM0.31m
7:38AM0.27m
8:04PM0.35m
8:25AM0.31m
8:53PM0.37m
clear
clear
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:09
5:10
5:12
 mm
2
1
2
2
Temp °C
13
14
12
12
12
11
11
11
9
11
12
10
12
13
9
14
14
11
13
15
14
Feels °C
10
9
9
8
7
7
8
9
6
9
10
8
9
9
5
10
10
7
7
10
9
  • 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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