Waihau Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.62° S 177.94° E

Waihau Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 17 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waihau Bay sea temperature is
16.0°C
0.6° 

Waihau Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Waihau Bay surf forecast from 16 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 17 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 17 Oct, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period, ESE swell with 98 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 17 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period with ESE 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 Saturday (Oct 17) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waihau Bay in the next 16 days are 0.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Oct 17) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Oct 17) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sat 17th Oct)2.5ft (0.7m) 10s
Best Surf 7PM (Sat 17th Oct)2.5ft (0.7m) 10s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 17th Oct)2.5ft (0.8m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waihau Bay over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
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)
0.7
ESE
9
0.8
ESE
9
0.7
ESE
10
0.5
ESE
10
0.4
ESE
9
0.5
ESE
9
0.3
NNW
15
0.2
NNW
14
0.3
NE
10
0.3
NE
10
0.3
NE
10
0.3
NE
10
0.3
NE
10
1
W
5
0.4
NE
12
0.4
NE
11
0.4
NE
11
0.9
WNW
5
0.3
NE
11
0.3
NE
10
0.2
ENE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
76
98
88
54
33
45
42
21
18
17
17
16
16
47
53
44
30
45
18
16
10
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
15
SW
10
S
0
WNW
10
N
5
WSW
5
W
10
NW
5
SSW
5
WNW
5
N
5
SSW
15
W
10
NW
5
ESE
10
N
10
NW
10
SW
5
NNW
10
N
10
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
glassy
cross
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
on
on
cross-off
High Tide
12:00PM1.59m
00:15AM1.47m
12:46PM1.53m
1:02AM1.42m
1:36PM1.49m
1:54AM1.37m
2:28PM1.46m
2:49AM1.35m
3:20PM1.46m
3:46AM1.37m
4:12PM1.49m
4:41AM1.42m
5:02PM1.54m
Low Tide
6:15PM0.41m
6:29AM0.37m
7:03PM0.46m
7:16AM0.42m
7:53PM0.49m
8:06AM0.45m
8:46PM0.50m
8:59AM0.46m
9:39PM0.47m
9:53AM0.46m
10:31PM0.42m
10:46AM0.42m
11:21PM0.34m
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
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6:20
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6:18
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6:16
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6:16
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—
6:15
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6:13
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:25
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—
7:27
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—
7:28
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—
7:29
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7:30
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7:30
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7:31
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 mm
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
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Temp °C
10
11
11
14
15
11
16
16
13
17
16
13
17
18
14
17
17
15
18
18
14
Feels °C
7
7
8
11
12
10
14
14
12
16
15
13
14
17
12
16
16
14
17
17
14
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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.

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