Surf Forecasts:
Hawai River surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NNW swell with 815 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hawai River this week:
The surf forecast for Hawai River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hawai River in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hawai River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break this down. Rusty here.
It’s a slow start at Hawai River — a point break that doesn’t break all that often and needs a solid north swell. We’re in for a dry spell, with nothing worth riding until Saturday August 1st. The first part of the outlook is flat and weak, so don’t bother suiting up just yet.
On Sunday July 26th, there’s a small 2ft NW swell in the morning, but combined energy is only 61 — real weak. Winds are light offshore, so if you absolutely need to get wet, you might find a knee-high wave, but it’s nothing special. By afternoon it dies off more.
Monday the 27th stays tiny with clean conditions but no real waves. That flat stretch continues through Thursday the 30th, with barely anything to paddle for. Friday the 31st jumps up to 8ft from the NNW, with strong energy (822), but the wind is fresh cross-onshore — messy and lumpy. Not a fun time.
Then we get a bright spot. Saturday August 1st — afternoon turns glassy with a 6ft NW swell and 396 units of energy. Glassy conditions mean the surface will be clean. That’s the standout window. Swell direction isn’t perfect (N is better here), but the overall quality is the best of the run. Because this spot is inconsistent, this is a rare chance — but expect some company, as crowds can show up.
Sunday August 2nd drops back to tiny, with moderate offshore wind but no power. The middle of the outlook from August 3rd through the 7th is basically flat — tiny 0.3ft swell with long-period NE energy that doesn’t suit the break. Those days drag.
There’s one more promising signal: Monday August 10th — morning shows a 5ft NNE swell with 577 units of energy, offshore wind, and a period around 10 seconds. That’s a long-range possibility, but unsure this far out. Water temperature is 59°F, about average for the time of year.
So the takeaway: mostly flat, but Saturday afternoon August 1st is your cleanest, best shot. Monday the 10th is a maybe, but it’s way out there.
Stay patient.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the N 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 | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | — | — | — | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 59 | 19 | 12 | 35 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 35 | 173 | 815 | 696 | 270 | 464 | 384 | 127 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | off |
High Tide | 4:24PM1.52m | 4:35AM1.47m | 5:14PM1.55m | 5:24AM1.49m | 6:01PM1.59m | 6:11AM1.51m | 6:45PM1.63m | 6:56AM1.54m | 7:28PM1.67m | 7:39AM1.56m | 8:08PM1.71m | 8:21AM1.58m | 8:46PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:59AM0.40m | 10:31PM0.53m | 10:49AM0.39m | 11:22PM0.50m | 11:38AM0.36m | 00:12AM0.46m | 12:25PM0.32m | 00:58AM0.42m | 1:10PM0.28m | 1:43AM0.37m | 1:52PM0.26m | 2:25AM0.32m | 2:34PM0.25m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | |  |  |  | |  | |  |  | |
 | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — |
 | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | E 18 | NE 18 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | 59 | 19 | 12 | 35 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 7 | 13 | 270 | 464 | 384 | 127 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 18 | NE 18 | NE 17 | NE 16 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 2 | — | SSW 2 | S 3 | SSW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | S 2 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35 | 173 | 815 | 696 | — | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 77 | 48 | 40 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 77 | 48 | 76 | 76 | 93 | 93 | 82 | 82 | 35 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Hawai River Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Hawai River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Hawai River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Hawai River 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 (Hawai River) 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 Hawai River 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.
Hawai River is 48 km (30 miles) from Whakatane. If you plan a holiday in East Cape, look for hotels and other accommodation in Whakatane. Whakatane has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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