Waipaoa River Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.72° S 177.94° E

Waipaoa River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 20 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waipaoa River sea temperature is
13.6°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 20 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 5,411 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s 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 Sunday (Sep 20) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 27) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 20th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Best Surf 6PM (Sun 20th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 21st Sep)15ft (4.5m) 12s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 5°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the NW by Mon morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
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
1
!
4
1
2
1
0
3
2
0
3
2
1
1
2
0
2
2
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)
0.5
S
13
2.3
SSE
9
4
S
11
2.1
SSE
13
1.6
SSE
12
1.2
SE
10
0.5
SSE
12
0.9
S
12
2
S
8
1.2
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
7
2.2
S
8
1.9
S
8
1.8
S
7
1
SSE
8
0.9
SSE
10
0.9
SSE
10
0.9
SSE
12
0.6
ESE
13
0.5
ESE
13
0.7
SSE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
85
808
3735
1556
722
298
86
214
520
202
173
594
442
349
133
171
157
237
133
92
109
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
35
SSW
25
SW
10
NW
10
E
10
WNW
10
NW
20
S
10
W
10
W
25
SSW
20
SSW
20
SW
20
S
10
NW
5
NW
10
ESE
10
WNW
5
N
15
ENE
20
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
12:35PM1.35m
00:56AM1.27m
1:25PM1.33m
1:46AM1.25m
2:14PM1.33m
2:36AM1.24m
3:04PM1.34m
3:26AM1.26m
3:52PM1.36m
4:16AM1.29m
4:39PM1.40m
5:04AM1.34m
5:26PM1.44m
Low Tide
6:50PM0.38m
7:05AM0.36m
7:39PM0.39m
7:54AM0.37m
8:30PM0.39m
8:43AM0.36m
9:20PM0.37m
9:33AM0.34m
10:09PM0.33m
10:23AM0.30m
10:57PM0.27m
11:12AM0.26m
11:44PM0.22m
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:56
5:54
5:52
5:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:01
6:02
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:06
6:07
 mm
1
1
1
2
3
Temp °C
15
12
10
15
14
11
17
17
9
11
11
9
10
11
8
13
13
10
14
15
15
Feels °C
9
4
4
11
10
8
14
13
4
8
5
4
4
5
4
9
9
7
10
11
11
  • 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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