Surf Forecasts:
Waipaoa River surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, S swell with 7,352 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period with S 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.4m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waipaoa River in the next 16 days are 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waipaoa River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here with the rundown for Waipaoa River. This is a fickle sandbar that’s inconsistent and rarely breaks, so you gotta time it right. The water’s at 54°, which is much colder than normal for this time of year – don’t even think about paddling out without a good wetsuit. This is strictly for advanced surfers.
The first solid window is Monday, July 27th, early. The morning shows a clean 4ft swell out of the ESE with a long 13-second pulse. The wind is coming offshore from the WSW at 9 mph, so it’ll be glassy. The combined energy is sitting at 1129 (moderate). A nice way to kick things off.
Tuesday, July 28th, the morning has a 7ft swell from the SE, still with that 13-second period. The wind is a light cross-off from the WSW at 6 mph, keeping things tidy. The energy is a strong 2057. More size, but still manageable for the crew who knows this spot.
Wednesday, July 29th, the morning swell drops to 6ft from the ESE, period 13 seconds. Wind goes light cross-off from the WNW at 6 mph. Energy is 920 (moderate). Still a decent option.
Thursday, July 30th, the swell fades to 4ft and 4ft through the day, with shorter 11-12 second periods. Energy drops to 424-507. It’s clean enough with a NW breeze, but it’s getting weak.
Friday, July 31st, it’s dropping fast – 3ft to 3ft. The wind turns onshore from time to time, so not worth it.
Saturday, August 1st, the morning is flat with 2ft junk. Then the afternoon throws in a big 10ft from the SSE. That’s already too big for this break, and the wind is 16 mph cross-off. Not for a paddle board.
Sunday, August 2nd, stays oversized – 7ft to 10ft from the SSE. Cross-off winds up to 22 mph. This is looking more like a kite session.
Monday, August 3rd, is a beast – 15ft from the S, with periods of 13-14 seconds and insane energies at 10,872 and 10,680. The wind is howling at 25 mph. Far too big for a sandbar.
Tuesday, August 4th, the morning calms to a clean 7ft from the SE at 13 seconds, with a glassy offshore breeze from the west at 3 mph. Energy is a solid 1709. That’s a standout for the advanced.
Wednesday, August 5th, drops to 4ft from the SE, period 13 seconds, energy 594. Clean with a light cross-off.
Thursday, August 6th, jumps again to 12ft from the SSW – too big. The rest of the week into Sunday, August 9th, is a mix of 8ft to 12ft swells. Most of it’s too big or messy. Sunday morning, August 9th, is the exception: 8ft from the SSW at 14 seconds, with a light offshore from the WSW at 3 mph. Energy 3275. That’s a clean, powerful option for experts.
Monday, August 10th, fades to 4ft from the SSE with a very long 17-second period. It’ll be clean with a NW breeze, but that long period might make it a bit straight at a sandbar. Tuesday, August 11th, is just small leftover dribble.
The pick of the week? Monday morning, July 27th, has that first crisp offshore and clean swell. Tuesday morning, August 4th, is also a ripper – a touch more size with that glassy wind. Sunday morning, August 9th, is a solid long-range call too, but it’s further out. For the advanced crew, these are your shots.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | S 9 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 16 | SSE 11 | SSW 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 551 | 1107 | 1521 | 1471 | 1359 | 1134 | 900 | 774 | 644 | 422 | 370 | 249 | 228 | 167 | 130 | 124 | 2035 | 4619 | 1388 | 1950 | 5119 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:18PM1.37m | 4:35AM1.29m | 5:05PM1.39m | 5:22AM1.30m | 5:51PM1.41m | 6:08AM1.31m | 6:36PM1.43m | 6:54AM1.32m | 7:19PM1.45m | 7:38AM1.34m | 8:01PM1.46m | 8:21AM1.35m | 8:42PM1.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:58AM0.33m | 10:31PM0.38m | 10:45AM0.31m | 11:20PM0.36m | 11:32AM0.29m | 00:08AM0.33m | 12:18PM0.27m | 00:54AM0.30m | 1:03PM0.25m | 1:38AM0.27m | 1:47PM0.24m | 2:21AM0.24m | 2:30PM0.23m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | |  | | | |  | | |  |  |  | | |  | |
 | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — |
 | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
Temp °C | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
Feels °C | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 0 | -2 | -2 | -2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | SSE 8 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | ESE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 551 | 422 | 1521 | 1471 | 1359 | 1134 | 900 | 774 | 644 | 422 | 370 | 249 | 228 | 167 | 130 | 66 | 46 | 2513 | 1388 | 40 | 2493 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | ESE 13 | — | S 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 10 | S 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 6 | SE 16 | E 11 | E 10 | SE 13 | NE 15 | E 14 |
| kJ | 183 | 643 | — | 26 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 2 | 26 | 85 | 42 | 38 | 15 | 25 | 3 | 124 | 58 | 8 | 111 | 8 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | S 14 | — | NE 12 | S 16 | SE 16 | S 14 | ESE 17 | S 6 | NE 17 | NE 16 | E 10 | — | — |
| kJ | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 16 | — | 6 | 20 | 10 | 16 | 30 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 8 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | N 3 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NNW 2 | NW 3 | — | SSE 11 | SSW 11 | — | SSE 11 | S 12 |
| kJ | 391 | 1107 | 1270 | 560 | 292 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 14 | 23 | 1 | 2 | — | 2035 | 4619 | — | 1950 | 5119 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 73 | 60 | 0 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 60 | 96 | 127 | 127 | 129 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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