Waihau Bay surfForecast / East Cape / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Thursday 11 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
19.5° C
(Which is 1.6°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 11) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waihau Bay in the next 12 days are 1.1m 13s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Dec 13) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Thu 11th Dec)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 11th Dec)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Most Powerful 1PM (Thu 18th Dec)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the NNE by Tue night).

Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.4
NNE
1.6
ENE
1.1
E
0.9
ENE
1
E
0.5
N
0.6
ESE
0.8
E
0.3
N
0.8
ESE
1
E
0.9
ENE
1
ENE
0.9
ENE
0.9
ENE
0.9
ENE
1
NE
0.9
NNE
0.7
NNW
1
NNW
1
NNW
Period(s) (?)11988886815688887779141313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)530424169112111332584384412487110106849393108218378361
Wind
(km/h)
5
ENE
10
NE
5
SW
5
WNW
5
SW
15
SSE
5
SSE
5
N
15
SE
5
NNE
15
NE
10
E
10
NNE
15
N
5
NNW
15
NW
20
N
15
N
30
NNE
25
W
25
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
onglasscross-
on
ononcross-
on
crosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:33PM
1.78
1:00AM
1.58
1:26PM
1.70
1:57AM
1.52
2:18PM
1.62
2:54AM
1.48
3:10PM
1.55
3:49AM
1.47
4:01PM
1.51
4:41AM
1.48
4:50PM
1.48
5:30AM
1.50
5:38PM
1.48
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:55PM
0.20
7:08AM
0.25
7:48PM
0.25
8:02AM
0.34
8:40PM
0.30
8:56AM
0.41
9:30PM
0.33
9:49AM
0.46
10:19PM
0.35
10:42AM
0.48
11:07PM
0.35
11:33AM
0.48
11:53PM
0.34
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Sunrise5:39--5:39--5:39--5:39--5:39--5:41--5:41--
Sunset-8:22--8:22--8:22--8:23--8:24--8:24--8:25-
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-----------------67513
Temp. °C232219222016192014201916201918202118181717
Feels °C (?)242221232012171811181614181717171817151314
  • 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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