Waihau Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.62° S 177.94° E

Waihau Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waihau Bay sea temperature is
16.2° C
0.9° 

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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, WNW swell with 799 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waihau Bay this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Waihau Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful12AM (Sat 25th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 8s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, strong winds from the WSW by Fri night).

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
0.4
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
11
0.4
ESE
11
0.3
E
4
0.3
ESE
11
0.2
ESE
11
0.2
ESE
10
0.2
ESE
11
0.2
ESE
12
0.4
ENE
6
0.4
ENE
6
0.6
WNW
4
1.2
NW
5
2.5
WNW
8
1.5
NW
8
0.5
E
12
1.9
NW
8
0.6
E
11
0.5
E
11
0.7
ESE
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
56
56
51
48
3
23
11
11
11
13
13
12
11
71
799
244
68
413
83
57
154
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
10
SE
10
SSE
10
SE
5
W
5
SSE
10
SW
10
W
10
SE
5
SSE
10
W
5
SSW
15
W
25
NW
30
W
30
WSW
40
W
35
W
30
WSW
35
WSW
45
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:09AM1.68m
11:30PM1.75m
12:01PM1.62m
00:19AM1.66m
12:53PM1.56m
1:08AM1.57m
1:45PM1.52m
1:58AM1.50m
2:38PM1.49m
2:49AM1.46m
3:30PM1.48m
3:41AM1.44m
4:21PM1.49m
Low Tide
5:18PM0.19m
5:51AM0.16m
6:08PM0.28m
6:39AM0.23m
6:58PM0.37m
7:26AM0.30m
7:49PM0.44m
8:15AM0.35m
8:41PM0.49m
9:05AM0.38m
9:34PM0.52m
9:55AM0.40m
10:27PM0.51m
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
thunderstorm
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:16
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:15
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
 mm
4
11
3
1
4
Temp °C
13
13
10
13
13
9
12
12
9
12
12
11
14
13
14
11
12
13
11
11
10
Feels °C
9
10
7
11
11
7
8
9
6
10
9
10
10
8
9
3
4
5
2
2
0
  • 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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