Waipu River surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Wednesday 13 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
18.6° 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 Thursday (May 21) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waipu River in the next 16 days are 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 14) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Thu 21st May)5ft (1.6m) 7s
Best Surf12AM (Thu 21st May)5ft (1.6m) 7s
Most Powerful 3AM (Thu 14th May)5.5ft (1.7m) 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

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed night, min 14°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon night, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
E
7
1.7
E
8
1.1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
9
1.1
E
8
1.2
E
8
0.8
ENE
8
1.1
E
8
1.3
E
8
1.4
E
7
1.4
ENE
8
1.6
E
8
1.4
E
8
1.3
E
7
1.6
E
7
1.7
E
6
1.9
E
7
1.7
E
7
1.6
E
7
1.6
E
7
1.7
ENE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
352
355
153
119
161
185
85
157
191
195
232
334
247
166
247
239
318
263
257
233
277
Wind (km/h)
30
ESE
20
E
20
SE
20
SE
10
ESE
15
SE
15
ESE
10
ESE
15
SE
20
ESE
15
ESE
20
ESE
15
ESE
20
ESE
20
SE
25
ESE
20
SE
15
SE
25
ESE
20
ESE
15
SE
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
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
8:41AM2.28m
9:16PM2.42m
9:35AM2.24m
Low Tide
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
3:10PM-0.03m
3:47AM0.14m
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:11
7:11
7:11
7:13
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:25
5:24
5:23
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:21
1
1
2
3
2
3
3
1
1
Temp °C
16
17
15
15
16
15
15
15
15
15
15
14
14
15
15
15
16
16
16
16
16
11
14
11
11
13
12
12
13
12
12
12
10
11
11
10
10
13
12
12
12
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
10
1.1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
9
1.1
E
8
0.1
N
9
0.8
ENE
8
0.4
ENE
11
0.4
ENE
11
0.5
E
11
0.4
ENE
11
0.4
ENE
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
10
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
14
Energy kJ
2
2
153
119
161
2
85
40
42
58
40
36
36
21
21
4
4
4
4
4
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
14
0.1
N
14
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
10
0.2
ENE
11
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
15
Energy kJ
4
4
2
2
2
2
2
11
2
4
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
9
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
Energy kJ
3
3
2
2
3
3
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
E
7
1.7
E
8
0.9
ESE
6
0.9
ESE
6
1
E
6
1.2
E
8
0.8
E
6
1.1
E
8
1.3
E
8
1.4
E
7
1.4
ENE
8
1.6
E
8
1.4
E
8
1.3
E
7
1.6
E
7
1.7
E
6
1.9
E
7
1.7
E
7
1.6
E
7
1.6
E
7
1.7
ENE
7
Energy kJ
352
355
57
58
80
185
39
157
191
195
232
334
247
166
247
239
318
263
257
233
277
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
5
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
4
1
3
3
2
1
2
3
3
2
Distance (km)
94
62
62
94
9
40
9
9
40
42
9
62
40
62
94
94
40
94
94
62
9
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland
Rating
(10 max)
2
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
3
4
3
3
3
1
1
2
2
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
9
7
5
5
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
8
9
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
7
4
5
5
4
6
4
5
5
5
4
  • 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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