Waihau Bay surfForecast / East Cape / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Monday 13 Apr 2026 NZST
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
19.8° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

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 Tuesday (Apr 14) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 7s. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 19) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 16) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Tue 14th Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 19th Apr)8ft (2.4m) 8s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sun 19th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 15°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Mon night, fresh winds from the W by Wed afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 84mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Mon
20
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
E
1.1
E
1
E
0.8
E
2.5
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.2
WNW
2
WNW
0.9
NW
0.4
ESE
0.4
ESE
1.1
NW
1.3
NNW
1.9
NNW
2.4
NNW
2.5
NNW
3
NNW
1.3
NW
1.2
N
1.4
N
Period(s) (?)141313128877771313556788888
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)65942334019673676651443638977586669902975746911072207169227
Wind
(km/h)
15
WNW
15
W
20
WNW
25
W
30
W
35
W
30
W
30
W
30
W
20
SW
10
WSW
15
W
20
WNW
25
NNW
25
NNW
30
NNW
30
N
25
NW
5
SSE
10
SSE
15
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
Low Tide
/ height (m)
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Mon
20
Sunrise-6:33--6:33--6:35--6:35--6:35--6:37--6:37-
Sunset--5:43--5:42--5:39--5:38--5:37--5:36--5:35
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
Rain (mm)
5-382-11----1-2214515118
Temp. °C191918161618161818141717171818181717171715
Feels °C (?)17171514101210131391414141415151315181613
  • 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 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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