Waiapu River surf break

Waiapu River surfForecast / East Cape / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Wednesday 13 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Waiapu River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Waiapu River sea temperature is
17.7° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Wednesday (May 20) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 17) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (May 13) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Wed 20th May)1.5ft (0.5m) 9s
Best Surf12AM (Wed 20th May)1.5ft (0.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sun 17th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSE
16
0.7
SSE
15
0.8
SSE
13
1.6
SSE
7
0.8
SSE
12
1.9
S
6
1.2
SSE
9
1.2
SSE
9
1.1
SSE
8
0.6
SSE
13
0.7
ENE
11
0.6
SSE
11
1
SSE
11
1
SSE
11
1.3
SE
6
1.2
SE
6
1.1
E
6
0.9
E
6
0.8
ENE
6
0.7
ENE
8
0.5
SSE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
217
196
206
227
168
256
203
217
173
111
99
82
242
238
104
109
85
61
55
65
45
Wind (km/h)
25
SSW
30
S
30
S
30
S
25
S
15
SSW
20
SSW
25
S
20
SSW
20
SSW
25
S
20
S
20
SSW
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
S
20
SSE
15
S
15
SSW
10
SE
5
E
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
High Tide
2:54PM1.40m
3:14AM1.51m
3:50PM1.48m
4:09AM1.56m
4:45PM1.58m
5:04AM1.62m
5:40PM1.68m
5:58AM1.67m
6:33PM1.76m
6:53AM1.71m
7:27PM1.82m
7:48AM1.73m
8:22PM1.84m
Low Tide
9:01PM0.32m
9:36AM0.21m
9:58PM0.27m
10:29AM0.14m
10:55PM0.21m
11:22AM0.07m
11:52PM0.14m
12:16PM0.01m
00:49AM0.09m
1:11PM-0.03m
1:45AM0.05m
2:05PM-0.05m
2:41AM0.04m
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:58
6:58
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:06
5:05
5:04
5:04
5:02
5:01
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
3
1
Temp °C
14
14
14
14
14
13
14
13
13
13
14
13
13
14
15
14
15
15
15
15
15
8
7
7
7
9
8
10
9
9
8
8
8
8
10
11
10
11
12
13
14
14
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSE
16
0.7
SSE
15
0.8
SSE
13
0.8
SSE
13
0.8
SSE
12
1.3
SSE
6
0.5
ENE
10
0.5
ENE
10
0.7
ENE
11
0.7
ENE
11
0.7
ENE
11
0.6
ENE
10
1
SSE
11
0.5
ENE
10
1
SE
6
0.4
ENE
9
0.6
SSE
9
0.9
E
6
0.8
ENE
6
0.7
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
6
Energy kJ
217
196
206
206
156
133
52
54
105
101
99
68
242
56
59
35
62
52
45
50
22
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
9
0.5
ENE
9
0.5
ENE
9
0.5
ENE
9
0.5
SSE
10
0.1
SE
20
0.4
SSE
17
0.6
SSE
14
0.6
SSE
13
0.6
SSE
12
0.6
SSE
11
0.5
ENE
10
0.5
ENE
10
0.5
SSE
10
0.3
SSE
10
0.4
ENE
8
0.6
SSE
9
0.6
SSE
8
0.6
SSE
9
0.5
SSE
9
Energy kJ
66
65
48
47
47
62
15
113
134
111
94
82
57
57
55
20
23
61
55
65
45
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
NNE
5
0.2
NNE
10
0.2
SSE
21
0.1
NE
9
0.2
SSE
18
0.5
ENE
9
0.1
S
16
0.1
N
12
0.4
SSE
8
0.2
SSE
16
0.4
SSE
8
0.4
ENE
10
0.1
SE
16
0.4
NE
10
0.4
NE
10
0.4
NE
10
0.4
NE
10
0.4
ENE
9
Energy kJ
5
9
45
3
30
47
5
3
21
26
21
36
11
27
27
26
23
34
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
S
5
1.4
SSE
7
1.6
SSE
8
1.6
SSE
7
1.3
SSE
7
1.9
S
6
1.2
SSE
9
1.2
SSE
9
1.1
SSE
8
0.9
SSE
5
1.2
SSE
5
1
SSE
6
1.3
S
11
1
SSE
11
1.3
SE
6
1.2
SE
6
1.1
E
6
Energy kJ
57
175
316
227
168
256
203
217
173
41
75
58
410
238
104
109
85
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
42
51
18
57
57
18
42
42
18
42
48
42
42
42
42
42
42
42
18
18
0
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
1
1
1
3
2
3
4
4
1
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
7
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
8
9
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
4
4
5
4
4
6
5
5
5
  • 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 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.

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