Waihau Bay surfForecast / East Cape / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Monday 15 Dec 2025 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Waihau Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Waihau Bay sea temperature is
20.0° C
(Which is 1.8°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waihau Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Waihau Bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waihau Bay in the next 12 days are 2.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 7s period and expected on Monday (Dec 22) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 18th Dec)2ft (0.6m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 18th Dec)2ft (0.6m) 8s
Most Powerful 1AM (Wed 17th Dec)8ft (2.4m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waihau Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Tue night, light winds from the SSE by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Mon
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.7
ENE
0.8
NE
0.8
ENE
0.7
ENE
2.4
NNW
1.7
WNW
1.5
WNW
0.6
ENE
0.7
ENE
0.7
ENE
1.2
WNW
1.3
W
0.4
N
1.7
WNW
1.6
WNW
1.9
NW
1.3
NNW
1.1
NW
1.4
WNW
0.5
N
1.3
W
Period(s) (?)77787668885516667876136
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)477356505002121414554507086831851963751879711990108
Wind
(km/h)
10
NNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
25
NNW
30
NNW
25
W
25
W
10
SSE
10
W
15
WNW
20
WSW
20
WSW
25
WNW
25
W
25
W
30
W
30
WSW
30
WSW
25
W
30
WSW
20
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:41AM
1.48
4:50PM
1.48
5:30AM
1.50
5:38PM
1.48
6:16AM
1.53
6:24PM
1.49
7:00AM
1.57
7:09PM
1.51
7:43AM
1.61
7:52PM
1.53
8:26AM
1.64
8:35PM
1.54
9:07AM
1.66
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:19PM
0.35
10:42AM
0.48
11:07PM
0.35
11:33AM
0.48
11:53PM
0.34
12:22PM
0.47
12:39AM
0.32
1:09PM
0.44
1:23AM
0.30
1:54PM
0.41
2:07AM
0.27
2:38PM
0.39
2:49AM
0.26
Mon
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Sunrise--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:43
Sunset8:24--8:24--8:25--8:27--8:27--8:28--8:28--
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
----23-2-----131------
Temp. °C201820191817171518181720201819201718201718
Feels °C (?)181716161412121215151316161514151112151216
  • 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 Waihau Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Waihau Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Waihau Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Waihau Bay 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 (Waihau Bay) 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 Waihau Bay 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.

Waihau Bay is 92 km (57 miles) from Whakatane. If you plan a holiday in East Cape, look for hotels and other accommodation in Whakatane. Whakatane has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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