Waiapu River Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.77° S 178.48° E

Waiapu River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waiapu River sea temperature is
14.9° C
0.2° 

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 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,923 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s 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 11s 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 11s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Wed 19th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 19th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 19th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Wed morning, calm by Fri morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the NW by Sun morning).

Tue
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
SSE
10
3
SSE
11
3.5
SSE
11
3.5
SSE
10
2.4
SE
10
1.8
SE
9
1.4
SE
9
1.1
ESE
9
1.1
ESE
10
1
ESE
10
0.8
ESE
10
0.6
ESE
9
0.6
SSE
11
0.5
SSE
11
0.4
SSE
11
0.3
E
13
0.3
ESE
12
0.3
ESE
13
0.3
ESE
13
0.3
SSE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1137
2147
2772
2250
1081
497
330
207
255
194
117
55
97
68
44
29
30
33
33
24
Wind (km/h)
35
SSW
25
SW
40
SSW
40
S
15
SW
15
SSW
15
S
5
WSW
0
SW
10
NNE
10
WNW
15
NW
20
NW
20
NW
30
NW
20
NW
20
WNW
5
WNW
10
ENE
10
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross
off
High Tide
10:39PM1.59m
11:08AM1.54m
11:25PM1.52m
11:56AM1.49m
00:12AM1.45m
12:44PM1.44m
1:01AM1.39m
1:34PM1.40m
1:51AM1.35m
2:26PM1.38m
2:43AM1.33m
3:19PM1.38m
Low Tide
4:57AM0.16m
5:19PM0.26m
5:43AM0.22m
6:06PM0.33m
6:28AM0.29m
6:54PM0.39m
7:15AM0.34m
7:44PM0.43m
8:04AM0.37m
8:35PM0.45m
8:55AM0.39m
9:28PM0.46m
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:46
6:45
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
 mm
5
1
Temp °C
12
9
10
10
9
12
13
11
12
13
12
15
15
14
16
17
14
16
15
13
Feels °C
4
2
-1
1
5
7
8
9
10
11
10
11
11
10
12
13
11
14
12
10
  • 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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