Waiapu River surf break

Waiapu River surfForecast / East Cape / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Friday 15 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
17.6° 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 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 1.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 18) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Friday (May 22) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Wed 20th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Best Surf 9PM (Wed 20th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Most Powerful 9AM (Mon 18th May)5ft (1.5m) 10s

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 Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
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
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
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)
1.2
SSE
9
1.1
SSE
9
0.6
SSE
14
0.8
SSE
13
0.7
ENE
11
1.1
SSE
6
1.1
SSE
6
1.2
SSE
6
1.4
SSE
7
1.5
SSE
10
1.3
SSE
10
0.6
SSE
9
0.8
SSE
9
0.8
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
9
0.5
SSE
9
0.8
E
5
0.7
ENE
6
0.6
NE
7
0.6
NE
7
0.6
NE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
208
172
134
186
99
86
74
84
175
416
299
59
94
105
71
44
36
29
29
28
41
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
25
S
20
S
25
SSW
30
S
25
SSW
20
S
25
SSE
20
S
20
SSW
25
S
10
SSW
15
S
15
SSE
10
SW
10
SSE
10
SE
5
SW
5
W
15
N
15
NNW
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
glassy
glassy
cross-off
off
High Tide
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
8:43AM1.72m
9:16PM1.84m
9:39AM1.68m
10:12PM1.80m
Low Tide
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
3:00PM-0.04m
3:37AM0.05m
3:55PM-0.00m
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:01
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:05
5:04
5:04
5:02
5:01
5:00
5:00
1
1
2
Temp °C
13
13
13
13
14
12
14
15
14
13
14
13
14
14
14
14
14
13
15
15
14
9
8
9
9
8
7
10
10
9
9
10
10
12
12
13
11
11
12
13
12
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
SSE
9
0.5
ENE
10
0.7
ENE
11
0.8
SSE
13
0.7
ENE
11
0.5
ENE
10
0.5
ENE
10
0.5
ENE
10
0.4
ENE
10
1.1
SE
7
1
SE
6
0.8
ESE
6
0.8
SSE
9
0.8
SSE
10
0.7
E
5
0.6
E
5
0.8
E
5
0.7
ENE
6
0.6
NE
7
0.6
NE
7
0.6
NE
8
Energy kJ
208
54
105
186
99
59
57
56
36
103
80
36
94
105
28
21
36
29
29
28
41
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
ENE
10
0.4
SE
17
0.6
SSE
14
0.7
ENE
11
0.6
SSE
12
0.5
SSE
11
0.4
SSE
11
0.4
SSE
10
0.2
SSE
18
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
9
0.6
SSE
9
0.5
E
5
0.6
E
6
0.7
SSE
9
0.5
SSE
9
0.4
SSE
8
0.4
SSE
8
0.4
SE
7
0.3
SSE
6
0.4
SE
11
Energy kJ
52
74
134
101
94
71
46
42
30
35
35
59
13
21
71
44
27
26
13
8
29
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
20
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
0.2
SSE
16
0.1
NE
10
0.1
N
11
0.1
S
22
0.1
E
15
0.4
SSE
10
0.1
SE
14
0.4
ENE
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
NE
9
0.4
NE
9
0.2
ENE
9
0.2
ENE
9
0.2
E
12
0.2
E
12
0.2
E
12
Energy kJ
15
3
3
3
26
4
2
9
4
38
8
38
36
33
21
20
8
8
11
11
11
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
S
9
1.1
SSE
9
1
SSE
8
0.9
SSE
5
1.2
SSE
5
1.1
SSE
6
1.1
SSE
6
1.2
SSE
6
1.4
SSE
7
1.5
SSE
10
1.3
SSE
10
0.7
E
5
0.4
NNW
4
Energy kJ
417
172
131
46
84
86
74
84
175
416
299
25
5
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
18
42
26
42
48
18
26
57
42
42
42
18
18
42
18
18
18
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
3
1
3
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
4
4
6
4
6
4
4
6
4
5
5
5
4
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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