Surf Forecasts:
Waipaoa River surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SSE swell with 1,152 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s 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 (Aug 24) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 1.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) 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 0.2m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waipaoa River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk feet, knots, and degrees Fahrenheit for the Waipaoa River.
First few days are a total washout. You’re looking at tiny, weak surf that isn’t worth paddling out for. The first real chance to get wet comes Monday, August 24th, with a SSE swell pushing 3 ft at around 9 seconds. Light offshore winds, so it’s clean, but no power.
Tuesday the 25th is where the fun starts. Morning sees the swell holding at 3 ft from the SSE, but the period stretches to 13 seconds. Winds stay light offshore. Then Tuesday afternoon the wind goes dead glassy—that’s the magic window. Same 3 ft swell, perfectly clean. That’s your first real standout.
Wednesday the 26th brings a groundswell pulse: 2 ft, but with a 17-second interval from the SSE, combined energy at 221. It’ll feel bigger and the sets will have juice. Thursday the 27th morning is another gem: 3 ft from the SSE, 17 seconds, and combined energy at 424. Winds are light offshore again. Clean, long lines on the sandbar.
Friday the 28th stays rideable with 4 ft and 3 ft swell, but the wind picks up from the NNW and keeps things a bit bumpy.
Now, for the strong of heart: Monday the 31st of August morning slams a 12 ft swell from the SSW. Combined energy is 2910—that’s a lot of power. Period is short at 10 seconds, so it’ll be steep, hollow, and mean. Experts only. Winds are cross-off, so conditions will be clean, but this is a whole different beast.
After that, the first few days of September offer smaller, cleaner morning sessions, but nothing special. The water is sitting at 54°F, which is about 3 degrees colder than normal for the time of year. That’s a bit of a shock to the system, so bring the thick suit.
Crowds at Waipaoa River show up sometimes, but with the inconsistency of the break, you’ll usually find room.
If you’ve got to pick a day, go for Tuesday the 25th or Thursday the 27th of August. Those are the cleanest, most lined-up sessions of the whole run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 15 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 55 | 33 | 33 | 103 | 174 | 589 | 238 | 167 | 112 | 168 | 203 | 158 | 390 | 804 | 935 | 505 | 378 | 215 | 125 | 142 | 96 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:04PM1.34m | 2:23AM1.27m | 2:54PM1.34m | 3:12AM1.26m | 3:43PM1.35m | 4:02AM1.27m | 4:31PM1.37m | 4:50AM1.29m | 5:18PM1.40m | 5:37AM1.31m | 6:02PM1.44m | 6:23AM1.35m | 6:46PM1.46m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:16PM0.40m | 8:33AM0.35m | 9:06PM0.40m | 9:22AM0.35m | 9:57PM0.38m | 10:11AM0.33m | 10:47PM0.35m | 10:59AM0.30m | 11:34PM0.31m | 11:46AM0.27m | 00:20AM0.27m | 12:32PM0.24m | 1:05AM0.22m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 11 |
Feels °C | 8 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 55 | 25 | 33 | 103 | 152 | 589 | 238 | 167 | 71 | 168 | 203 | 158 | 390 | 804 | 935 | 505 | 378 | 215 | 125 | 142 | 96 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 10 | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSE 18 | S 15 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | S 11 | ENE 10 | SE 12 | SE 15 | NNE 4 | ESE 13 | NE 10 | ENE 5 |
| kJ | 34 | 33 | 9 | 33 | 174 | 30 | 16 | 31 | 112 | 37 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 83 | 21 | 6 | 33 | 1 | 17 | 4 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | — | NE 4 | S 18 | ESE 13 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | — | SE 12 | ESE 11 | — | NE 10 | NE 9 | SE 14 | NE 4 | — | NE 9 |
| kJ | 7 | — | 1 | 7 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | — | 21 | 24 | — | 4 | 3 | 29 | 1 | — | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 2 | — | — | N 9 | NNE 4 | — | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | — | — | NE 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 7 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 115 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gisborne and Mahia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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