Waiapu River Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.77° S 178.48° E

Waiapu River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waiapu River sea temperature is
15.6° C
0.5° 

Waiapu River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Waiapu River surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 19s period, SSE swell with 913 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. 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 1.1m 19s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 21st Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 21st Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 21st Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 19s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
0
0
3
2
1
2
2
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSE
23
1.1
ESE
13
0.9
ESE
12
0.9
ESE
12
0.7
SSE
19
1.1
SSE
19
0.9
SSE
17
0.8
SSE
16
0.9
SSE
14
0.8
SSE
12
0.5
SSE
12
0.4
SSE
11
0.4
ESE
11
0.4
ESE
11
0.3
ESE
11
0.6
E
9
0.6
E
8
0.6
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.4
SE
16
0.6
ESE
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
731
378
258
203
325
913
448
314
286
172
79
46
38
39
22
55
51
78
98
68
150
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
10
SSE
15
SSW
20
S
25
S
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSE
5
W
5
WSW
5
ENE
10
SW
5
SW
15
N
15
NW
25
NNW
30
NW
15
WSW
15
W
25
NW
15
W
Wind State
cross
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
9:58AM1.62m
10:22PM1.72m
10:51AM1.58m
11:12PM1.64m
11:43AM1.53m
00:01AM1.56m
12:34PM1.48m
00:50AM1.48m
1:25PM1.44m
1:40AM1.42m
2:15PM1.41m
2:30AM1.38m
3:06PM1.40m
Low Tide
4:09PM0.08m
4:44AM0.07m
5:01PM0.15m
5:33AM0.13m
5:51PM0.23m
6:20AM0.19m
6:41PM0.31m
7:08AM0.25m
7:31PM0.37m
7:55AM0.31m
8:21PM0.42m
8:43AM0.34m
9:12PM0.44m
clear
clear
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:16
7:15
7:15
7:13
7:13
7:13
7:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:12
 mm
2
2
4
Temp °C
13
13
12
12
13
11
11
12
10
11
12
11
12
12
12
14
14
13
14
14
14
Feels °C
10
10
9
7
7
7
7
8
7
9
10
9
10
8
8
8
8
11
9
9
9
  • 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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