
Surf Forecasts:
Whangara surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, ENE swell with 1,040 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 15s. 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 2.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, listen up. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Whangara, trying to make sense of the next couple of weeks. There’s a bit of a slow start, but don’t go putting the board away just yet, because there are a couple of proper windows hiding in there.
The first few days are pretty so-so. We’ve got some small, clean surf on Sunday morning with a 5ft south swell and decent period, but the energy is only moderate (800). The wind is cross-off, so it should be okay, but nothing to write home about. That carries into Monday morning for a smaller 3ft wave (397), but the real let-down comes in the afternoon when the wind swings onshore and kills it.
Tuesday’s morning surf is marginal, and the afternoon is a write-off. Wednesday morning is worth a look though. It’s glassy, with a 6ft SSE swell showing moderate energy (661), and it should be clean. The afternoon gets chopped up again, and Thursday is ordinary.
Then we hit a proper lull. Friday and Saturday are just messy, with junky wind and lumpy conditions. The swell tries to build, but it’s all over the shop. Sunday the 16th is a complete blowout with strong winds. From Monday the 17th through Thursday the 20th, it’s just all over the place: way too big and blown out. Sizes are pushing 10ft, then 15ft, and the energy readings get strong, (2101), (2295) and even (4550) on Wednesday. My god, it’ll be a washing machine out there. The wind is howling cross and cross-on, so unless you’re after a kite-surfing session, give it a miss.
Now, for the good stuff. The first standout is early on Wednesday morning, the 12th. It’s a glassy dawn patrol with a solid 6ft SSE swell (661). The wind will be dead off the land, so it should be smooth and clean. Whangara is fairly consistent, and with the cross-off breeze, it’s going to be the pick of the first week.
But the real one to circle on the calendar is Sunday morning, the 23rd. It’s over a week out, so treat it as promising but not certain. The charts are showing an 8ft easterly swell with a strong energy reading (1598). It’s glassy, light rain, and the wind is dead off the land. This is a bigger swell, over 8ft, so this is only for the experienced crew. The period is a short 8 seconds, so it might break a bit fat, but with no wind, it has the potential to be the best session of the fortnight. Everything else after that is a bit of a lottery.
One thing to note, the water temp is about average for this time of year, so you won’t need the full thick suit just yet, but a steamer isn’t a bad idea.
So there you have it. A couple of windows of hope in a pretty wild forecast. Get out there when it’s clean, and be smart about the big days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, strong winds from the NE by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
663 | 545 | 384 | 488 | 229 | 167 | 386 | 285 | 280 | 387 | 636 | 407 | 446 | 202 | 169 | 610 | 598 | 269 | 659 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | off |
High Tide | 1:36AM1.46m | 2:12PM1.52m | 2:36AM1.47m | 3:13PM1.56m | 3:37AM1.49m | 4:13PM1.59m | 4:38AM1.51m | 5:12PM1.63m | 5:37AM1.53m | 6:08PM1.65m | 6:34AM1.54m | 7:03PM1.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:54AM0.13m | 8:28PM0.19m | 8:52AM0.11m | 9:29PM0.16m | 9:52AM0.09m | 10:31PM0.13m | 10:52AM0.06m | 11:31PM0.09m | 11:51AM0.03m | 00:29AM0.06m | 12:48PM0.02m | 1:24AM0.04m | |||||||
— | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | N 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | S 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | NE 7 | ESE 8 | ENE 9 |
663 | 545 | 381 | 488 | 162 | 167 | 386 | 266 | 280 | 387 | 636 | 407 | 446 | 202 | 169 | 74 | 381 | 73 | 659 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | NE 12 | S 11 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | SSE 12 | N 8 | SSW 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 8 |
89 | 242 | 384 | 6 | 229 | 50 | 51 | 285 | 33 | 51 | 21 | 20 | 49 | 30 | 15 | 30 | 64 | 17 | 34 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 12 | N 9 | NE 11 | NNE 8 | S 18 | NNE 8 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NNE 7 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | E 15 | SE 10 | ENE 9 | NE 11 |
21 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 25 | 5 | 37 | 24 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 4 | 23 | 15 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 4 | N 6 | WSW 2 | SSW 3 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | — | — | — | NNE 8 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | — |
— | — | 25 | 136 | 1 | 1 | 56 | 522 | 202 | — | — | — | 72 | 18 | 54 | 610 | 598 | 269 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 16 | 13 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 311 | 308 | 19 | 11 | 0 |
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.











