Motu River Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.86° S 177.59° E

Motu River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 07 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Motu River sea temperature is
15.0° C
0.2° 

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 6 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, N swell with 825 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Motu River in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Mon 10th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 8s
Best Surf 6AM (Mon 10th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 8s
Most Powerful12PM (Fri 14th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 8s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 4°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
N
14
0.2
N
14
0.2
N
13
0.2
N
13
0.2
N
12
0.2
N
12
0.2
N
12
1.6
NNW
6
1.7
NNW
7
1.9
NNW
8
1.5
NNW
8
1.3
NNW
8
1
NNW
7
1.1
N
7
1.2
N
7
1.5
N
8
1.3
NNW
8
1.2
N
8
0.9
N
7
0.8
N
7
2.2
N
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
16
16
14
13
12
11
11
177
282
500
313
196
114
121
147
286
202
163
81
59
480
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
5
W
5
S
10
SW
10
W
0
ESE
15
NNW
25
NNW
30
N
10
WSW
10
WNW
5
SE
5
ESE
10
NNE
10
E
15
ENE
5
WSW
5
SE
5
SSE
5
NNW
10
ENE
Wind State
glassy
cross
off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross
High Tide
1:05PM1.92m
1:28AM1.95m
2:05PM1.94m
2:27AM1.96m
3:13PM1.97m
3:33AM1.98m
4:25PM2.04m
4:39AM2.00m
5:31PM2.13m
5:42AM2.02m
6:26PM2.21m
6:40AM2.04m
7:17PM2.24m
Low Tide
7:22PM0.66m
7:50AM0.55m
8:26PM0.68m
8:52AM0.57m
9:31PM0.69m
9:57AM0.55m
10:36PM0.67m
11:00AM0.50m
11:38PM0.63m
11:57AM0.45m
00:38AM0.57m
12:50PM0.41m
1:33AM0.50m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:01
6:58
6:58
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
 mm
1
6
32
1
3
1
Temp °C
9
9
7
9
10
12
14
14
14
13
13
11
14
14
13
16
16
13
16
15
13
Feels °C
6
6
5
6
8
11
10
10
12
10
10
9
12
12
11
15
16
13
15
14
11
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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