Waiwakaiho Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.04° S 174.11° E

Waiwakaiho Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waiwakaiho sea temperature is
14.2°C
0.8° 

Waiwakaiho surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Waiwakaiho surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, WSW swell with 9,820 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period with WSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waiwakaiho this week:

The surf forecast for Waiwakaiho over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waiwakaiho in the next 16 days are 4.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 8th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 11th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 19s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 12th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening at Waiwakaiho. This sandbar break is fairly consistent and open to the swell, so there’s plenty to work with. Water temp is about 58°F, which is normal for the time of year. The overall pattern? A heap of surf on the way, but wind’s gonna be the decider – you need to pick your windows.

Starting Tuesday the 8th of September – morning is glassy with a 4ft swell from the WSW at 11 seconds, a nice long-period groundswell with moderate energy (821). That’s the morning session to nail. Afternoon goes cross and messy, so don’t bother.

Wednesday the 9th morning offers a smaller 3ft swell with a light cross-off breeze – clean but not a standout. Afternoon onshore, no good.

Thursday the 10th is a complete mess – onshore winds, lumpy, and that afternoon has a 0.7m swell at 22 seconds – that’s a very long period but the wind spoils it.

Friday the 11th of September – this is the big one. Morning has a 10ft swell from the WSW at 19 seconds, very long period groundswell, massive energy (7228). Light cross-off wind makes it clean and powerful. This is for experts only – over 8ft, so too big for most. Afternoon gets windy and lumpy.

Saturday the 12th morning – 13ft swell, again huge (5372 energy), light cross-off, clean. Expert only. Afternoon ruined by cross wind.

Sunday the 13th – 6ft but cross wind all day at 35 km/h – choppy, not worth it.

Monday the 14th morning – glassy, 6ft swell at 16 seconds (2404 energy – moderate to strong). Clean and fun for experienced surfers. Afternoon cross and messy.

Tuesday the 15th through Thursday the 17th – onshore winds, lumpy, big swells but blown out. This stretch is better for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Friday the 18th – morning is near gale, forget it. Afternoon has clean cross-off but it’s 10ft with strong breeze – marginal.

Saturday the 19th morning – 8ft with gentle cross breeze, not clean enough to call a standout. Afternoon lumpy.

Sunday the 20th through Monday the 21st – all onshore, poor.

Tuesday the 22nd of September – another standout morning. Offshore wind from the SE, 10ft swell from the WSW at 16 seconds (4637 energy – very strong). Excellent for experts. Afternoon gets strong cross wind.

Wednesday the 23rd morning – same again, 10ft, 17-second period, clean cross-off (4590 energy). Another excellent morning for the experienced crew.

The two best windows are Friday the 11th and Tuesday the 22nd mornings – big, clean, long-period groundswell, but expert only. For intermediates, Tuesday the 8th morning with 4ft and glassy conditions is your best bet. Crowds can show up at Waiwakaiho sometimes, so be ready.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Fri morning, fresh winds from the SW by Fri night).

Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
3
6
3
4
5
2
1
1
1
2
4
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WSW
11
1.3
WSW
10
1.2
WSW
11
0.9
WSW
11
1.3
WSW
11
1.5
WSW
11
1.6
WSW
11
0.7
W
22
1.7
WSW
16
3
WSW
19
3.5
WSW
18
4
WSW
17
4
WSW
11
2.1
WSW
16
2.2
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
16
3.5
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
16
3
WSW
15
2.4
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
435
327
366
193
373
515
611
453
1341
7228
7687
8697
3944
2202
2186
1967
1540
5840
1437
3423
2361
Wind (km/h)
5
S
15
WSW
5
SE
10
ENE
15
NNW
20
WNW
20
NW
20
WNW
20
S
10
S
30
WSW
30
WSW
10
SSW
30
WSW
30
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
25
WSW
5
S
20
WSW
15
SW
Wind State
glassy
cross
glassy
cross-off
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross
cross
High Tide
7:38PM2.91m
8:05AM2.84m
8:28PM3.11m
8:52AM3.02m
9:12PM3.26m
9:34AM3.15m
9:52PM3.33m
10:13AM3.21m
10:30PM3.32m
10:50AM3.21m
11:06PM3.24m
11:26AM3.14m
11:42PM3.09m
Low Tide
1:17PM0.47m
1:53AM0.36m
2:12PM0.27m
2:43AM0.16m
2:59PM0.11m
3:27AM0.01m
3:42PM0.01m
4:07AM-0.06m
4:23PM-0.01m
4:45AM-0.05m
5:01PM0.05m
5:22AM0.04m
5:39PM0.18m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:28
6:28
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:10
6:12
 mm
1
7
Temp °C
13
13
11
13
13
12
13
12
10
12
12
12
13
13
12
13
13
12
13
14
12
Feels °C
10
8
9
10
10
6
8
8
6
6
5
6
8
6
5
6
7
6
10
9
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 Waiwakaiho Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Waiwakaiho provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Waiwakaiho can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Waiwakaiho 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 (Waiwakaiho) 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 Waiwakaiho 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 Taranaki? If you are looking for accommodation near Waiwakaiho, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Taranaki, consider staying in New Plymouth which is 4 km (2 miles) away.

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