Waiapu River Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.77° S 178.48° E

Waiapu River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waiapu River sea temperature is
14.2°C
0.4° 

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 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SSE swell with 640 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 16s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waiapu River in the next 16 days are 1.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sat 12th Sep)1.5ft (0.5m) 16s
Best Surf 3AM (Sun 13th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sun 13th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
3
0
1
2
2
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NE
13
1.1
SSE
6
0.7
SSE
16
1.2
SSE
13
1.2
SSE
12
1.2
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
11
1
SSE
11
0.9
SSE
9
0.8
SSE
9
0.5
SSE
8
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
11
0.3
NE
11
0.2
NNE
11
0.2
ESE
11
0.2
ESE
10
0.4
ESE
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
44
98
220
491
380
227
396
256
239
121
90
40
23
22
21
20
19
12
12
10
65
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
20
S
15
NNW
5
WSW
30
SSE
10
SW
5
NNE
5
NNE
10
NNW
10
N
15
NNE
10
NW
5
NW
10
NW
15
WNW
15
WNW
20
NNW
25
NNW
20
N
30
NNE
10
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
7:02PM1.70m
7:29AM1.64m
7:50PM1.68m
8:17AM1.64m
8:36PM1.65m
9:03AM1.62m
9:21PM1.60m
9:48AM1.59m
10:05PM1.54m
10:32AM1.55m
10:49PM1.48m
11:17AM1.49m
11:35PM1.42m
Low Tide
12:51PM0.10m
1:21AM0.07m
1:41PM0.11m
2:08AM0.07m
2:29PM0.13m
2:53AM0.09m
3:16PM0.17m
3:37AM0.14m
4:01PM0.22m
4:21AM0.20m
4:46PM0.28m
5:04AM0.26m
5:31PM0.34m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:03
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:57
5:58
 mm
2
3
15
19
5
Temp °C
14
12
11
14
14
11
12
12
13
14
14
13
18
19
12
17
16
15
15
14
14
Feels °C
10
7
10
11
8
8
10
11
11
11
11
11
16
16
9
12
11
11
11
9
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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