Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.72° S 177.94° E

Waipaoa River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 30 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waipaoa River sea temperature is
13.7°C
0.6° 

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 29 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 30 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 30 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, SSE swell with 1,323 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 30 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period with SSE 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 Wednesday (Sep 30) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 5s 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 1.7m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 30) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Oct 01) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Wed 30th Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 15s
Best Surf10PM (Wed 30th Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 15s
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 30th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Wednesday
30
Thursday
1
Friday
2
Saturday
3
Sunday
4
Monday
5
Tuesday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
3
2
0
2
2
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
2
2
0
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
SSE
15
1.6
SSE
15
1.4
SSE
14
1.2
SSE
13
1.1
SSE
14
0.9
SSE
13
0.9
SSE
13
0.8
SSE
12
0.6
SSE
12
0.4
SSE
13
0.6
S
7
1.5
S
6
0.9
SSE
14
1.3
SSE
13
1
SSE
12
0.9
SSE
11
0.9
SSE
10
0.9
SE
10
0.7
SE
9
0.6
SE
9
0.6
SSE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1323
1182
778
514
480
273
249
175
91
68
33
160
371
606
275
200
185
139
84
65
47
Wind (km/h)
5
NNE
15
ENE
10
NW
15
NW
10
SE
10
WNW
5
NW
10
ESE
15
WNW
0
WNW
30
S
25
SSW
15
SSW
20
SSE
10
NW
0
E
10
ESE
5
WNW
0
E
15
E
10
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
glassy
on
cross-off
High Tide
9:14AM1.57m
9:35PM1.54m
10:03AM1.59m
10:26PM1.54m
10:54AM1.60m
11:18PM1.52m
11:48AM1.60m
00:13AM1.49m
12:44PM1.58m
1:11AM1.46m
1:43PM1.56m
2:11AM1.44m
2:43PM1.54m
3:12AM1.42m
Low Tide
3:29PM0.12m
3:51AM0.08m
4:20PM0.11m
4:41AM0.08m
5:13PM0.12m
5:33AM0.09m
6:07PM0.13m
6:27AM0.11m
7:04PM0.15m
7:24AM0.14m
8:02PM0.17m
8:22AM0.16m
9:02PM0.17m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:46
—
—
6:45
—
—
6:43
—
—
6:41
—
—
6:39
—
—
6:37
—
—
6:37
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:10
—
—
7:12
—
—
7:12
—
—
7:13
—
—
7:14
—
—
7:15
—
—
7:15
—
 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
3
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
15
16
13
20
17
13
16
17
15
17
14
11
12
11
8
13
13
11
14
13
11
Feels °C
11
12
11
18
14
11
13
15
12
12
9
7
7
6
6
10
10
9
11
10
9
  • 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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