Waipu River surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Sunday 11 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Waipu River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Waipu River sea temperature is
21.6° C
(Which is 1.8°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waipu River this week:

The surf forecast for Waipu River over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 12) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waipu River in the next 12 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 19) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Jan 12) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Mon 12th Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 9s
Best Surf10AM (Mon 12th Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 9s
Most Powerful 1AM (Mon 19th Jan)5ft (1.6m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waipu River over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
NE
0.3
N
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.3
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.3
NNE
0.4
NE
0.3
NE
0.5
NE
0.6
NE
0.7
NE
0.8
NE
0.8
NE
1
NE
1.1
NE
1.3
ENE
Period(s) (?)91199999991211111188888999
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)222121222113262525362530233136586967155174252
Wind
(km/h)
10
NNE
10
WSW
15
W
15
SW
10
SSW
5
ESE
15
ENE
5
NW
5
WNW
20
NNE
10
W
5
NE
15
ENE
5
N
15
NE
20
ENE
15
NE
20
NE
25
NE
15
NNE
10
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
offoffoffcross-
off
glassoncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
glassonglassonononcross-
on
oncross-
on
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:42AM
1.82
2:57PM
1.86
3:36AM
1.78
3:48PM
1.79
4:30AM
1.77
4:41PM
1.75
5:24AM
1.79
5:34PM
1.75
6:16AM
1.83
6:26PM
1.78
7:05AM
1.89
7:14PM
1.82
7:51AM
1.95
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:43PM
0.39
9:01AM
0.56
9:32PM
0.45
9:54AM
0.63
10:22PM
0.49
10:49AM
0.66
11:13PM
0.50
11:45AM
0.66
12:05AM
0.48
12:39PM
0.63
12:56AM
0.44
1:30PM
0.59
1:43AM
0.39
Sun
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunrise--6:16--6:18--6:18--6:20--6:20--6:22--6:22
Sunset8:42--8:40--8:40--8:40--8:40--8:39--8:39--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
------------2--------
Temp. °C262126261818192022222121222122222122222121
Feels °C (?)252124241717172120202122212322212221212221
  • 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 Waipu River Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Waipu River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Waipu River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Waipu 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 (Waipu 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 Waipu 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.

Waipu River is 32 km (20 miles) from the city of Whangarei. If you plan a holiday in Northland, look for hotels and other accommodation in Whangarei. Whangarei has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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