Surf Forecasts:
Hawai River surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, NW swell with 279 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period with NW 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Hawai River in the next 16 days are 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hawai River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, it’s Rusty. Let’s get into the forecast for the river mouth.
Honestly, for the next week or so, it’s looking pretty dry. From Sunday the 23rd of August right up until about the 4th of September, there’s just no decent surf to speak of. The swell that does show up is small, short-period, and mostly blown out by onshore or side-onshore breezes. We’re talking ankle to knee-high junk for days. The water temp is about 58°F, which is pretty standard for the season.
The one day that has me buzzing is the morning of Monday the 7th of September. That’s our best shot. We get a clean 6ft swell from the WNW breaking at Hawai River. The wind goes glassy – a light 3 mph breeze from the NNE, about as offshore as you can ask for. The wave energy is moderate at 335, and the period is 7 seconds. It’s not a long-period groundswell, but with conditions that clean, the waves will have good shape. The river can be a bit inconsistent here, so when it all comes together like this, you don't miss it.
A runner-up would be the morning of Saturday the 5th of September. There’s similar 6ft swell from the NW, but the wind is onshore from the NW, so it won’t be as clean. Worth a look if you’re keen, but the 7th is the real deal.
After that, it’s all a bit of a gamble looking further out. Get on that Monday glass-off if you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 410 | 279 | 66 | 29 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 27 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 37 | 66 | 278 | 116 | 80 | 60 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:08AM1.43m | 3:49PM1.49m | 4:02AM1.43m | 4:41PM1.52m | 4:54AM1.46m | 5:29PM1.57m | 5:43AM1.50m | 6:13PM1.63m | 6:29AM1.55m | 6:55PM1.69m | 7:12AM1.60m | 7:35PM1.73m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:01PM0.55m | 9:22AM0.44m | 9:57PM0.54m | 10:16AM0.42m | 10:51PM0.51m | 11:07AM0.38m | 11:41PM0.45m | 11:55AM0.34m | 00:28AM0.38m | 12:40PM0.29m | 1:12AM0.31m | 1:23PM0.25m | 1:53AM0.24m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 15 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 11 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 13 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | N 11 | N 10 | NW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | N 10 | NE 10 | N 10 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNE 10 |
| kJ | 3 | 279 | 66 | 29 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 116 | 80 | 20 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | — | N 14 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 11 | — | — | — | NE 11 | NNE 11 | NE 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | 11 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | — | SW 3 | — | — | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 5 | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | — | — | NW 6 |
| kJ | 410 | — | 2 | — | — | 11 | 19 | 27 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 37 | 66 | 278 | — | — | 60 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 89 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 76 | 76 | 73 | 76 | 73 | 85 | 73 | 76 | 77 | 76 | 76 | 93 | 93 | 35 | 35 | 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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