
Surf Forecasts:
Waiapu River surf forecast from 17 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, SSE swell with 1,245 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period with ESE 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 (Sep 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waiapu River in the next 16 days are 2.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 12s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waiapu River over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | Wednesday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | NNE 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
137 | 107 | 320 | 243 | 370 | 171 | 140 | 107 | 69 | 45 | 679 | 1245 | 817 | 305 | 258 | 159 | 114 | 284 | 310 | 268 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:49PM1.48m | 11:17AM1.49m | 11:35PM1.42m | 12:04PM1.44m | 00:22AM1.36m | 12:53PM1.40m | 1:12AM1.32m | 1:45PM1.37m | 2:05AM1.30m | 2:38PM1.37m | 2:59AM1.30m | 3:30PM1.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:04AM0.26m | 5:31PM0.34m | 5:49AM0.32m | 6:18PM0.39m | 6:36AM0.36m | 7:08PM0.43m | 7:25AM0.39m | 7:59PM0.45m | 8:16AM0.40m | 8:53PM0.44m | 9:08AM0.39m | 9:45PM0.41m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | N 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 18 |
137 | 107 | 320 | 659 | 370 | 239 | 205 | 93 | 267 | 172 | 679 | 1245 | 817 | 305 | 258 | 159 | 43 | 284 | 226 | 62 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 11 | SE 9 | NE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | SSE 19 | NW 6 |
12 | 38 | 5 | 243 | 157 | 171 | 140 | 107 | 69 | 45 | 75 | 14 | 7 | 19 | 16 | 28 | 22 | 6 | 37 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | NNE 11 | N 11 | S 11 | S 19 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 7 | SSE 6 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NNE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SSE 17 | NW 6 | NE 11 |
2 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 42 | 47 | 14 | 8 | 35 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 71 | 33 | 28 | 1 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | N 5 | N 6 | N 8 | — | S 4 | — | NW 8 | NW 8 | S 7 | S 11 | S 12 | — | — | — | NW 7 | SSE 6 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 |
6 | 33 | 148 | 1039 | — | 6 | — | 35 | 736 | 143 | 1736 | 4365 | — | — | — | 91 | 114 | 597 | 310 | 268 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 61 | 51 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 485 | 18 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 48 | 24 | 0 | 27 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










