Waipu River surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Tuesday 12 May 2026 NZST
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
18.7° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waipu River this week:

The surf forecast for Waipu River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 12) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waipu River in the next 16 days are 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 14) at 12AM. 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 3s period and expected on Wednesday (May 13) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Tue 12th May)4.5ft (1.4m) 8s
Best Surf 6PM (Tue 12th May)4.5ft (1.4m) 8s
Most Powerful12AM (Thu 14th May)6ft (1.9m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the E by Wed afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
E
8
1.5
E
8
1.2
E
9
0.8
E
7
1.6
ENE
6
1.9
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
8
0.9
NE
7
1.1
E
7
1
E
6
1
E
6
0.9
E
6
1.2
E
6
1.3
E
6
1.5
E
8
1.6
E
8
1.5
E
7
1.2
ENE
8
1.6
E
7
1.7
E
7
1.7
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
323
272
225
62
167
416
188
79
113
78
78
68
119
132
259
287
239
173
243
295
323
Wind (km/h)
10
W
10
ENE
10
SSE
15
S
35
E
15
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
15
ESE
15
SE
15
ESE
10
ESE
15
E
20
ESE
10
SE
15
ESE
20
ESE
10
SE
20
SE
25
ESE
15
ESE
cross-off
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
3:02PM1.76m
3:26AM1.94m
4:00PM1.86m
4:19AM2.02m
4:55PM1.98m
5:12AM2.10m
5:49PM2.12m
6:05AM2.18m
6:41PM2.24m
6:57AM2.24m
7:32PM2.34m
7:49AM2.28m
8:24PM2.40m
Low Tide
9:09AM0.50m
9:21PM0.52m
10:01AM0.41m
10:17PM0.47m
10:52AM0.30m
11:13PM0.40m
11:43AM0.19m
00:08AM0.31m
12:34PM0.09m
1:03AM0.24m
1:26PM0.01m
1:57AM0.17m
2:18PM-0.03m
2:52AM0.14m
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:09
7:09
7:11
7:11
7:11
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:25
5:25
5:24
5:23
5:22
5:22
1
2
1
1
Temp °C
16
17
16
16
16
16
14
15
16
15
15
15
16
15
15
15
14
15
15
16
16
16
15
15
12
10
13
10
10
13
11
12
13
12
11
12
13
10
12
11
11
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
E
8
1.5
E
8
1.2
E
9
0.8
E
7
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
10
1.2
ENE
8
0.9
NE
7
1.1
E
7
0.5
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.5
E
8
0.5
ENE
8
0.5
E
11
0.4
ENE
11
0.4
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
11
1.2
ENE
8
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
14
Energy kJ
323
272
225
59
2
2
188
79
113
41
55
34
38
59
40
35
23
173
4
4
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ENE
10
0.1
N
11
0.1
N
11
0.6
ENE
9
0.1
N
14
0.1
N
14
0.1
N
10
0.5
E
9
0.6
ENE
8
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.5
E
11
0.1
N
10
0.3
ENE
10
Energy kJ
78
2
2
62
4
4
2
41
57
2
2
34
61
2
21
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
11
0.2
N
11
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
12
Energy kJ
2
9
2
3
2
2
2
2
3
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
SE
2
1.6
ENE
6
1.9
ENE
8
0.9
ESE
6
0.9
ESE
7
1.1
E
7
1
E
6
1
E
6
0.9
E
6
1.2
E
6
1.3
E
6
1.5
E
8
1.6
E
8
1.5
E
7
1.6
E
7
1.7
E
7
1.7
E
8
Energy kJ
1
167
416
70
70
103
78
78
68
119
132
259
287
239
243
295
323
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
4
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
4
1
3
3
3
Distance (km)
0
39
5
0
94
42
61
94
9
40
9
9
62
53
9
42
62
9
62
94
62
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
4
1
4
4
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
4
3
3
2
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
9
4
6
5
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
5
9
9
5
6
8
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
7
4
5
7
4
4
8
  • 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 16 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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