Surf Forecasts:
Waiapu River surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SSE swell with 965 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period with SE 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waiapu River in the next 16 days are 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waiapu River over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 18 | SE 17 | SE 13 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
352 | 298 | 178 | 193 | 147 | 79 | 103 | 77 | 58 | 54 | 178 | 84 | 70 | 603 | 387 | 246 | 965 | 585 | 306 | 230 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:44PM1.48m | 6:02AM1.40m | 6:28PM1.52m | 6:47AM1.45m | 7:10PM1.56m | 7:31AM1.49m | 7:51PM1.59m | 8:14AM1.53m | 8:33PM1.61m | 8:58AM1.56m | 9:16PM1.62m | 9:43AM1.59m | 10:02PM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:00AM0.34m | 12:12PM0.27m | 00:45AM0.28m | 12:58PM0.24m | 1:29AM0.22m | 1:42PM0.21m | 2:11AM0.18m | 2:26PM0.19m | 2:53AM0.15m | 3:11PM0.18m | 3:37AM0.13m | 3:58PM0.19m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 18 | SE 17 | SE 13 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | S 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 |
352 | 298 | 178 | 193 | 147 | 79 | 103 | 77 | 326 | 251 | 178 | 84 | 347 | 603 | 387 | 246 | 965 | 585 | 306 | 230 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | NE 9 | E 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 11 | NE 10 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 |
2 | 42 | 52 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 6 | 58 | 47 | 35 | 50 | 70 | 79 | 50 | 63 | 35 | 21 | 57 | 57 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | N 12 | NE 9 | SE 13 | NE 9 | NNE 10 | ENE 6 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 11 |
4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 44 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 54 | 26 | 8 | 37 | 35 | 59 | 45 | 22 | 12 | 17 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 4 | — | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 7 | — | — | — | SW 4 | S 9 | — | NW 8 | — | — | NW 7 | NW 7 | — |
7 | — | 7 | 19 | 23 | 52 | 46 | 199 | — | — | — | 2 | 752 | — | 182 | — | — | 88 | 174 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 154 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 0 | 61 | 103 | 53 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live 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.











