Surf Forecasts:
Waiapu River surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, SSE swell with 3,436 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period with SSE 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waiapu River in the next 16 days are 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.0m 11s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waiapu River over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat night, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat night, strong winds from the S by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
377 | 165 | 262 | 210 | 1797 | 1926 | 1203 | 703 | 1034 | 2855 | 3055 | 2016 | 1019 | 653 | 491 | 166 | 123 | 110 | 347 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:42AM1.65m | 9:05PM1.73m | 9:32AM1.63m | 9:52PM1.67m | 10:21AM1.59m | 10:39PM1.59m | 11:08AM1.54m | 11:25PM1.52m | 11:56AM1.49m | 00:12AM1.45m | 12:44PM1.44m | 1:01AM1.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:37AM0.04m | 2:54PM0.07m | 3:25AM0.05m | 3:43PM0.12m | 4:12AM0.10m | 4:32PM0.18m | 4:57AM0.16m | 5:19PM0.26m | 5:43AM0.22m | 6:06PM0.33m | 6:28AM0.29m | 6:54PM0.39m | |||||||
— | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 16 |
377 | 165 | 262 | 210 | 235 | 123 | 1203 | 703 | 1034 | — | — | — | 1019 | 653 | 491 | 166 | 123 | 94 | 347 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | NE 8 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — | S 20 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | SSE 16 | S 14 | SE 9 | S 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | S 8 |
192 | 162 | 7 | 3 | — | — | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 169 | 203 | 281 | 144 | 123 | 110 | 51 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SE 15 | — | — | SSE 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 18 | ESE 10 |
7 | 35 | 28 | 9 | — | — | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 27 | 60 | 73 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 9 | — | — | NW 4 | NW 4 |
— | 60 | 109 | 345 | 1797 | 1926 | 2033 | 1328 | 2502 | 2855 | 3055 | 2016 | 2172 | 935 | 563 | — | — | 2 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 18 | 48 | 405 | 51 | 51 | 18 | 18 | 240 | 24 | 24 | 42 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











