Surf spot

Mangawhai Heads

Forecast conditions and map view for Mangawhai Heads in New Zealand, New Zealand NI, NE Coast. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: New Zealand, New Zealand NI, NE Coast
Coordinates: -36.0810, 174.5986

Metric
Metric	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00
Wave height (m)	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	E	SSE	SSE	E	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	E	SSE	S	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	N	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NE
Wave period (s)	8.8	8.9	8.8	8.7	8.8	8	4.2	3.6	7.3	8.4	8.3	8.1	8	6.9	3.6	2.9	9.6	8.6	9.6	9.2	12.3	12.2	11.9	10.6	10.6	10.5	10.5	10.4	10.3	10.3	10.3	10.3	10.2	10.1	10.1	10.1	10	9.9	9.8	2	9.8	9.8	9.8	5.1	9.8	6.2	4.8	4.7	4.5	4.6	4.8	4.8	4.7	4.6	4.6	5.2
Wave energy (kJ)	9	9	8	6	4	4	1	1	2	3	3	2	2	1	0	0	3	1	3	2	4	4	6	4	4	6	6	6	5	5	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	0	4	4	4	2	4	2	2	32	33	30	27	24	17	11	10	11
Wind speed (km/h)	22.2	20.5	24.2	26.5	25.7	24.4	23.4	19.9	17.7	17.7	17.9	19.1	21.4	22.9	18.6	13	10.2	9.5	8.9	12	16.5	17.8	14.6	10.7	9	7.1	12.3	11.2	14.9	16.8	12.3	10.1	8	8.2	10.3	11.2	12.1	15.9	8	6.6	6.6	10	9.5	11.3	11.2	22.4	18.7	20.6	18.8	6.4	13.1	23.8	26.6	26.6	26.6	22.2
Wind direction	WSWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	WSWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	WSWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	WSWOffshore	WSWOffshore	WSWOffshore	WSWOffshore	WSWOffshore	WSWOffshore	WOffshore	WSWOffshore	WOffshore	NWCross-off	NCross	NNWCross-off	NCross	NNECross-on	NCross	NCross	NCross	SSWCross-off	SCross	ESEOnshore	ESEOnshore	ESEOnshore	ESEOnshore	SECross-on

Mangawhai Heads is a popular surf spot on the northeast coast of New Zealand’s North Island, near the mouth of the Mangawhai Harbour. It’s a scenic beach break with shifting sandbars, making it a fun and sometimes powerful spot that can offer good waves when the swell lines up.

Surf characteristics

Type: Beach break, with sandbars influenced by the river/harbour entrance
Wave quality: Can be very good when conditions are right, especially on medium to larger swells
Best conditions: Clean offshore winds and a solid northeast to east swell are often ideal
Wave shape: Can produce fast, punchy peaks as well as longer running sections depending on sand movement

Crowd and vibe

A well-known local surf beach, so it can get busy when conditions are good
Can suit a range of surfers, but stronger surf and currents may make it better for more experienced riders
The setting is relaxed and attractive, with a classic coastal New Zealand feel

Things to know

Hazards: Strong currents, changing sandbars, and the nearby harbour entrance can create tricky rips and unstable conditions
Tide sensitivity: Can vary a lot with the tide because the sandbars shift seasonally and after storms
Season: Works year-round, with the best sessions usually depending more on swell direction and wind than on season alone