Waipaoa River Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.72° S 177.94° E

Waipaoa River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 11 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waipaoa River sea temperature is
13.6° C
0.9° 

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


Waipaoa River surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SSE swell with 1,149 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period with SE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waipaoa River this week:

The surf forecast for Waipaoa River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waipaoa River in the next 16 days are 1.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Sun 12th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Best Surf 6AM (Sat 18th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sat 18th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waipaoa River over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Sat
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
2
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
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
SE
9
1.2
SE
9
1.1
SE
9
1
ESE
10
0.8
ESE
9
0.8
ESE
9
0.6
ESE
9
0.3
SSE
12
0.6
NNE
6
0.4
ESE
10
0.4
ESE
11
0.4
ESE
11
0.5
E
13
0.5
ESE
14
0.6
ESE
14
1.1
ESE
17
1.3
ESE
15
1.4
ESE
15
1.6
ESE
14
1.5
ESE
14
1
SSE
21
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
373
231
170
200
100
90
58
29
24
34
40
39
87
118
145
675
826
880
1057
862
907
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
W
10
SSE
10
NW
15
NW
10
N
10
NNW
10
NNW
10
NNW
10
NW
15
NW
0
NNE
15
NW
10
NW
5
SE
5
WNW
10
NNW
5
NNW
20
NW
15
WNW
30
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
2:53AM1.49m
3:30PM1.57m
3:53AM1.52m
4:29PM1.63m
4:53AM1.54m
5:28PM1.68m
5:52AM1.57m
6:26PM1.72m
6:51AM1.58m
7:23PM1.73m
7:48AM1.58m
8:17PM1.72m
8:44AM1.56m
Low Tide
9:09AM0.10m
9:45PM0.16m
10:08AM0.07m
10:46PM0.12m
11:07AM0.03m
11:47PM0.08m
12:06PM-0.00m
00:46AM0.04m
1:04PM-0.02m
1:43AM0.02m
2:00PM-0.01m
2:39AM0.01m
2:55PM0.02m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:02
5:02
5:04
5:05
5:06
5:06
5:07
 mm
1
1
4
Temp °C
9
11
11
9
12
15
11
14
15
11
16
18
12
16
15
11
12
15
13
14
9
Feels °C
5
9
8
7
8
12
8
10
13
9
14
18
9
15
14
9
9
12
9
11
2
  • 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 Waipaoa River Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Waipaoa River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Waipaoa River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Waipaoa River 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 (Waipaoa River) 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 Waipaoa River 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Gisborne and Mahia? If you are looking for accommodation near Waipaoa River, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Gisborne and Mahia, consider staying in Gisborne which is 7 km (4 miles) away.

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