Surf Forecasts:
Waiwakaiho surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 7,278 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waiwakaiho in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waiwakaiho over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk waves. We’ve had a rough patch here, but there’s a proper reward coming if you’re patient. Plenty of junk wind and messy swell for the first week or so, but then it cleans up in a big way.
The first real session you can get excited about is early on Sunday, August 30th at Waiwakaiho. That’s over a week of mostly poor or marginal conditions to get through. The water temp is about normal for this time of year.
The call is for Sunday the 30th of August. The morning shows a 4ft swell from the WSW, with a very long 17 second period and moderate wave energy of 1437. The wind is offshore from the SE, making it nice and clean. That’s excellent quality for intermediate and above. The afternoon is even better – glassy, with a light 3 mph breeze from the SW, and a 4ft WSW swell with a 16 second period. Energy sits at 1467. That’s the absolute best of the whole outlook. The swell direction is spot on for Waiwakaiho. Crowds are possible, but you’d be there.
Monday the 31st of August morning still looks good, with a 4ft WSW swell, 15 seconds, and a clean light cross-offshore from the E. The energy is down to 864, but it’s still a clean wave. After that, it fades out through the first week of September. Get it while it’s good.
Hang in there. The 30th is the day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Fri morning, strong winds from the NW by Sun morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | W 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | W 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 595 | 746 | 316 | 229 | 156 | 424 | 2476 | 2498 | 2879 | 7278 | 5322 | 3854 | 2712 | 2258 | 1548 | 1581 | 1910 | 662 | 1230 | 960 | 759 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:57PM2.30m | 4:26AM2.20m | 5:18PM2.26m | 5:49AM2.20m | 6:33PM2.34m | 6:58AM2.30m | 7:31PM2.49m | 7:51AM2.46m | 8:16PM2.68m | 8:33AM2.63m | 8:54PM2.85m | 9:11AM2.79m | 9:29PM3.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:42AM0.94m | 10:22PM1.08m | 10:53AM1.02m | 11:39PM1.10m | 12:07PM0.99m | 00:49AM1.00m | 1:09PM0.86m | 1:43AM0.84m | 1:58PM0.69m | 2:26AM0.65m | 2:39PM0.51m | 3:04AM0.46m | 3:16PM0.35m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | W 16 | W 18 | NW 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | W 13 |
| kJ | 595 | 746 | 316 | 229 | 156 | 101 | 139 | 163 | 600 | 7278 | 5322 | 3854 | 2712 | 2258 | 1548 | 1581 | 1910 | 619 | 1230 | 960 | 759 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 24 | W 20 | WSW 13 | W 20 | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 14 | — | W 17 | WSW 16 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 11 | 30 | 99 | 68 | 91 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 662 | — | 217 | 259 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 123 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 7 | W 6 | WNW 5 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | W 10 | WSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 64 | 66 | 81 | 424 | 2476 | 2498 | 2879 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 11 | 261 | 247 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 247 | 11 | 250 | 250 | 108 | 250 | 52 | 0 | 52 | 201 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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