
Surf Forecasts:
Waiapu River surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, ESE swell with 1,429 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waiapu River this week:
The surf forecast for Waiapu River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waiapu River in the next 16 days are 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waiapu River over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 15 | ESE 18 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 22 | SSE 23 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SSE 17 | ESE 11 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
155 | 413 | 976 | 1429 | 1358 | 1106 | 822 | 735 | 725 | 581 | 378 | 278 | 203 | 304 | 143 | 630 | 364 | 258 | 191 | 114 | 83 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:45PM1.83m | 8:09AM1.68m | 8:39PM1.82m | 9:04AM1.66m | 9:31PM1.78m | 9:58AM1.62m | 10:22PM1.72m | 10:51AM1.58m | 11:12PM1.64m | 11:43AM1.53m | 00:01AM1.56m | 12:34PM1.48m | 00:50AM1.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:28PM-0.02m | 2:06AM0.04m | 2:23PM-0.01m | 3:01AM0.03m | 3:17PM0.02m | 3:53AM0.04m | 4:09PM0.08m | 4:44AM0.07m | 5:01PM0.15m | 5:33AM0.13m | 5:51PM0.23m | 6:20AM0.19m | 6:41PM0.31m | ||||||||
7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
— | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | ESE 18 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 |
155 | 413 | 976 | 1429 | 1358 | 1106 | 822 | 735 | 595 | 461 | 378 | 278 | 203 | 196 | 130 | 630 | 364 | 191 | 104 | 68 | 30 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | W 16 | S 5 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 22 | SSE 23 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | S 11 | SSE 17 | SSE 19 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 |
4 | 9 | 4 | 21 | 8 | 133 | 73 | 51 | 725 | 581 | 174 | 201 | 58 | 304 | 143 | 95 | 95 | 258 | 191 | 114 | 83 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | S 16 | S 8 | SSE 16 | — | NW 5 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 21 | SE 14 | N 10 | SSE 9 | N 10 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | S 8 |
4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 26 | — | 3 | 45 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 54 | 2 | 26 | 2 | 24 | 66 | 41 | 35 | 21 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 5 | — | — | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | S 4 | S 4 | S 8 | — | — | NW 3 |
2 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 20 | 316 | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 153 | 18 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Waiapu River Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Waiapu River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Waiapu River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Waiapu 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 (Waiapu 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 Waiapu 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.
Are you planning a holiday in East Cape? If you are looking for accommodation near Waiapu River, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in East Cape, consider staying in Gisborne which is 108 km (67 miles) away.










