Waihau Bay Surf Break

Waihau Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 37.62° S 177.94° E

Issued: 5 pm 04 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waihau Bay sea temperature is
16.9° C

1.4°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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 4 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, NNW swell with 1,555 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waihau Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Mon 6th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 8s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 8th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 3AM (Wed 8th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 11s

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 80mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
2
4
4
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
11
1.2
E
11
2.1
N
6
2.3
N
7
1.7
N
7
2.3
N
8
1.7
NNW
8
1.4
NW
8
1.2
E
10
2.1
N
8
2.5
NNW
10
2.5
NNW
10
2.3
N
10
1.6
N
9
1
E
10
1.1
E
10
1.1
E
10
1.2
ESE
9
1.1
ESE
10
0.8
ESE
10
0.7
ESE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
546
317
367
498
266
588
339
221
255
632
1406
1322
978
412
225
255
231
248
214
111
90
Wind (km/h)
15
N
20
N
30
N
20
N
25
NNE
15
WNW
20
NNE
15
N
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
NE
15
SE
15
SSW
10
S
5
SSE
5
S
5
S
20
SW
15
SW
15
SW
15
SW
Wind State
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:52PM1.65m
10:07AM1.50m
10:31PM1.64m
10:51AM1.50m
11:11PM1.64m
11:36AM1.50m
11:54PM1.63m
12:26PM1.52m
00:42AM1.63m
1:20PM1.55m
1:36AM1.63m
2:18PM1.60m
2:34AM1.64m
Low Tide
4:13AM0.33m
4:19PM0.30m
4:54AM0.32m
5:01PM0.32m
5:36AM0.30m
5:45PM0.34m
6:20AM0.27m
6:34PM0.35m
7:08AM0.25m
7:28PM0.36m
8:01AM0.22m
8:26PM0.35m
8:57AM0.18m
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:00
5:01
5:01
5:02
5:02
5:04
5:04
5:05
 mm
1
4
11
8
9
26
11
7
3
4
10
2
2
1
1
1
2
Temp °C
13
13
14
14
15
12
13
12
14
14
13
13
13
13
14
14
12
13
13
12
12
Feels °C
9
9
9
11
11
10
9
10
11
11
11
11
10
11
13
13
11
9
10
8
9
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
11
1.2
E
11
1.1
E
10
1
E
10
1.7
N
7
2.3
N
8
1.7
NNW
8
1.4
NW
8
1.4
NNW
8
2.1
N
8
2.5
NNW
10
2.5
NNW
10
2.3
N
10
1.6
N
9
1
E
10
1.1
E
10
1.1
E
10
1.2
ESE
9
1.1
ESE
10
0.8
ESE
10
0.7
ESE
10
Energy kJ
546
317
242
204
266
588
339
221
230
632
1406
1322
978
412
225
255
231
248
214
111
90
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
10
1.1
E
10
1
E
9
1.1
E
9
1.1
NNE
7
1.2
E
10
1.2
E
9
1.8
E
10
1.6
E
10
1.5
ESE
10
1.1
E
10
1
NNE
8
0.7
N
8
0.3
NNW
8
0.2
NNW
7
0.4
SW
4
0.1
NE
8
0.1
NW
13
Energy kJ
4
237
155
201
134
255
249
703
510
416
240
125
58
12
5
5
3
7
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNW
8
1
E
9
0.8
NE
9
0.4
E
12
0.2
WSW
4
0.3
NE
8
0.2
ENE
9
0.2
NNW
7
0.1
NW
7
0.1
N
6
Energy kJ
96
166
88
49
2
10
8
5
2
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
NNE
5
2.1
N
6
2.3
N
7
1.5
NE
8
1.1
NNE
8
0.9
SSE
5
0.4
SSE
3
0.2
WSW
4
0.2
WSW
4
0.4
SW
5
0.5
WSW
5
Energy kJ
69
367
498
268
142
37
4
1
1
9
14
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
3
2
2
3
4
4
2
2
2
1
3
1
2
2
Distance (km)
108
117
117
117
117
118
51
51
47
47
47
0
0
0
0
0
0
32
177
32
32
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
3
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
4
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
2
4
5
5
6
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
9
6
5
6
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
9
5
7
5
4
8
4
  • 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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