Motu River Surf Break

Motu River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 37.86° S 177.59° E

Issued: 11 pm 22 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Motu River sea temperature is
15.8° C

Normal for this time of year

Motu River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Motu River surf forecast from 22 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 25 Jun, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 24 Jun, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NNE swell with 1,611 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 25 Jun, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with NNW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Motu River this week:

The surf forecast for Motu River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jun 25) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Motu River in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jun 24) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jun 26) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Thu 25th Jun)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Best Surf 3PM (Thu 25th Jun)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Most Powerful 6PM (Wed 24th Jun)11ft (3.5m) 9s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 67mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the NE by Wed afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu night, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Mon
29
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
NNW
5
0.3
ENE
5
0.8
NE
6
1.1
NE
6
1.4
NE
7
2.5
NNE
8
2.5
NNE
9
1.7
NNE
9
1.3
NNW
9
1.1
NNW
8
0.5
NE
9
0.5
NE
9
0.5
NE
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.6
ENE
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2
4
49
95
178
740
1004
443
256
157
41
36
46
38
68
38
19
19
9
9
10
Wind (km/h)
5
SE
10
E
15
NE
20
ENE
25
NE
35
NE
25
N
15
NE
20
SSE
25
SSE
25
S
25
S
15
SSW
20
SSW
20
SSW
15
SSE
15
S
15
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSE
10
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
High Tide
1:10AM2.03m
1:39PM1.92m
2:00AM1.97m
2:34PM1.89m
2:50AM1.92m
3:28PM1.87m
3:41AM1.89m
4:24PM1.88m
4:31AM1.87m
5:20PM1.91m
5:19AM1.86m
6:10PM1.94m
6:07AM1.86m
Low Tide
7:28AM0.58m
7:44PM0.70m
8:19AM0.61m
8:42PM0.73m
9:12AM0.64m
9:37PM0.75m
10:06AM0.65m
10:30PM0.77m
10:59AM0.65m
11:21PM0.79m
11:46AM0.64m
00:10AM0.78m
12:29PM0.63m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:26
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:58
4:58
4:58
4:58
4:59
4:59
5:00
 mm
17
42
5
3
2
1
1
2
Temp °C
12
14
15
14
15
14
15
14
13
13
13
12
12
12
13
13
13
12
11
13
14
Feels °C
10
12
12
10
9
8
10
12
9
8
8
7
8
8
10
10
10
8
8
10
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
NNW
5
0.2
ENE
6
1.7
NNE
9
1.4
NNE
8
1.1
NNW
8
0.6
N
7
0.5
NE
9
0.5
NE
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.6
ENE
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
10
Energy kJ
2
4
443
256
157
39
36
46
38
68
38
19
19
9
9
10
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
4
1.1
NW
8
1.3
NNW
9
0.6
NNE
8
0.5
NE
9
0.4
N
7
0.4
SW
4
Energy kJ
1
133
228
40
41
16
5
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
8
0.4
ENE
9
0.1
NW
8
Energy kJ
2
32
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ENE
5
0.8
NE
6
1.1
NE
6
1.4
NE
7
2.5
NNE
8
2.5
NNE
9
0.8
S
4
0.3
S
3
0.4
SSW
3
0.3
S
4
0.3
SSW
3
Energy kJ
4
49
95
178
740
1004
18
2
4
2
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
4
3
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
3
1
3
3
2
2
2
2
Distance (km)
71
98
98
98
98
146
146
7
0
7
40
40
42
40
42
31
31
31
31
31
31
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
2
2
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
6
4
4
2
4
4
3
5
4
5
4
4
4
5
5
4
4
3
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
5
5
7
9
8
6
5
5
5
6
5
5
5
5
5
8
6
9
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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Information about the Motu River Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Motu River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Motu River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Motu 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 (Motu 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 Motu 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.

Motu River is 55 km (34 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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