Waiwakaiho Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.04° S 174.11° E

Waiwakaiho Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 05 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waiwakaiho sea temperature is
14.1° C
0.5° 

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


Waiwakaiho surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, NW swell with 2,331 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 6th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 12s
Best Surf 9AM (Mon 10th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sun 9th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here.

First thing’s first: we’ve got a bit of a dry spell before anything worth paddling out for. The next few days are a write-off—small leftovers and bumpy conditions from the 6th through to the 9th. If you're itching for a wave, you’ll be fighting onshore slop, so save your energy. There’s a real gap here before things turn on.

The first proper window shows up on Monday the 10th. We’ve got a jump in size to 7 ft from the NNW, but the real story is that clean, cross-off SSW breeze. The energy is solid at 1557, and while it might be a bit much for beginners, experienced surfers will find plenty to sink their fins into. Waiwakaiho (Taranaki) will be the spot, offering up some proper walls.

Tuesday the 11th shapes up as a lighter option – around 3 ft, but still with a clean cross-off ESE airflow. The swell energy drops to 570, so it’s not as powerful, but it’s a pickable, manageable day.

We get another pulse on Friday the 14th. The morning brings a clean 5 ft, but the afternoon is the true standout: 6 ft of W swell with a 17-second period and the wind goes glassy. This is one of those windows where the ocean feels like a mirror and the lines are long. The energy is reading 1749, so there’s real push behind it. This is the best of the first week, hands down.

Saturday the 15th keeps the energy high – the morning sees 7 ft from the WSW with a 20-second period and clean cross-off conditions. This is a big, powerful groundswell, so it’s for experienced crews only. The energy is massive at 3741. This is another standout, though the wind will junk it up in the arvo, so get out early.

After that, things get a bit more ordinary. Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th still have size, but the wind turns onshore and fresh, making for messy, lumpy conditions. It’s a battle for a wave, and you’ll be working hard for it.

The middle of the second week looks weak – the 18th and 19th see the swell drop to around 3 ft with that WSW direction. It’s clean, but small. Patience will be your friend.

The last decent window we’re looking at is Thursday the 20th. A glassy morning with a clean 3 ft from the WSW. It’s a fun, user-friendly size with the energy at a modest 382. It’s not a world-beater, but after the run we’ve had, it’ll feel like a holiday.

So, to sum it up: the standout days are the afternoon of the 14th and the morning of the 15th. That’s where you want to be. The rest is waiting for the ocean to get its act together. Stay patient, and when it's on, it's on.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 48mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds.

Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
2
3
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
SW
13
0.6
WSW
12
0.5
SW
12
0.5
W
10
1.3
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
8
1.4
WNW
8
0.8
WSW
18
3.5
NW
10
2.5
NW
9
1.8
NNW
9
2
NNW
10
1.2
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
14
1
WSW
13
0.6
W
20
0.7
W
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
341
180
170
96
71
52
277
250
224
422
2331
1075
489
809
588
687
342
299
347
Wind (km/h)
10
SSE
5
SE
10
W
5
SE
5
E
10
NNW
10
NNW
15
N
20
NNE
25
NNE
30
NNE
30
N
25
NNW
5
S
15
WSW
10
SE
15
ESE
10
NNE
10
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
2:20AM2.75m
2:56PM2.63m
3:20AM2.62m
4:04PM2.56m
4:34AM2.53m
5:24PM2.58m
5:57AM2.55m
6:42PM2.71m
7:12AM2.68m
7:47PM2.91m
8:14AM2.85m
8:43PM3.12m
Low Tide
8:48AM0.52m
9:16PM0.69m
9:51AM0.62m
10:28PM0.76m
11:04AM0.65m
11:46PM0.73m
12:18PM0.59m
00:59AM0.59m
1:26PM0.43m
2:03AM0.39m
2:24PM0.25m
2:58AM0.19m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
heavy rain
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
 mm
14
34
3
Temp °C
7
8
9
7
9
11
12
13
13
12
12
12
13
14
14
11
13
14
13
Feels °C
3
6
5
4
7
8
9
9
8
7
6
6
5
12
11
9
11
12
11
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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