
Surf Forecasts:
Waihau Bay surf forecast from 18 Jun 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 19 Jun, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, NNE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 24 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NE swell with 803 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 19 Jun, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period with NNE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waihau Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Waihau Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jun 19) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waihau Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jun 24) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jun 20) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Fri 19th Jun) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 19th Jun) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 24th Jun) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waihau Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NNE by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 19 | Saturday 20 | Sunday 21 | Monday 22 | Tuesday 23 | Wednesday 24 | Thu 25 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
387 | 486 | 458 | 341 | 217 | 125 | 67 | 38 | 69 | 78 | 34 | 16 | 19 | 97 | 233 | 769 | 636 | 719 | 321 | 183 | 172 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on |
High Tide | 9:20PM1.96m | 9:42AM1.78m | 10:14PM1.92m | 10:38AM1.72m | 11:08PM1.86m | 11:35AM1.66m | 00:01AM1.78m | 12:32PM1.60m | 00:53AM1.69m | 1:28PM1.56m | 1:45AM1.61m | 2:24PM1.52m | 2:37AM1.55m | 3:17PM1.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:41AM0.07m | 3:57PM0.01m | 4:36AM0.09m | 4:51PM0.08m | 5:30AM0.13m | 5:45PM0.17m | 6:23AM0.17m | 6:38PM0.26m | 7:15AM0.22m | 7:32PM0.35m | 8:06AM0.27m | 8:26PM0.41m | 8:56AM0.31m | ||||||||
— | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | |
— | — | 4:55 | — | — | 4:55 | — | — | 4:55 | — | — | 4:57 | — | — | 4:57 | — | — | 4:57 | — | — | 4:57 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 18 | 10 | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | ESE 19 | SE 16 | SE 14 | — | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NW 6 |
387 | 486 | 458 | 341 | 217 | 125 | 67 | 38 | 25 | 17 | 34 | 16 | 4 | 34 | 10 | 8 | — | 719 | 321 | 183 | 172 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | NNE 4 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NW 4 | — | — | E 13 | SE 12 | NW 6 | NE 11 | ENE 8 |
5 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 6 | 66 | 5 | 149 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 20 | SE 18 | SE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | — | NE 11 |
19 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 26 | 25 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | WSW 2 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | — | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NW 6 | — | NNW 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 18 | 27 | 69 | 78 | — | — | 19 | 97 | 233 | 769 | 636 | 58 | — | 93 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 32 | 9 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 84 | 76 | 0 | 9 | 118 | 97 | 97 | 118 | 47 | 162 | 180 | 117 | 51 | 97 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 16 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.









