Surf Forecasts:
Waiwakaiho surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 15s period, WSW swell with 2,412 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waiwakaiho in the next 16 days are 2.4m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waiwakaiho over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's coming up for Waiwakaiho over the next couple of weeks.
We've got a fair bit of action on the cards, but it's a bit of a mixed bag to start. The water is sitting at 59°, which is about a degree warmer than usual for this time of year, so that's a nice little bonus.
The real standout is going to be Thursday, July 16th. That morning, we've got a solid 8ft swell rolling in from the WSW, with a long 16-second period pushing a heap of energy (2907). The wind is dead calm, glassy as anything. This is a setup for some proper, powerful waves. The energy is strong, so this is for the experienced crew only. The crowds are only sometimes an issue, but with conditions like this, expect a few more out.
The build-up to that is decent. Starting from Thursday the 9th, we have some swell but the wind is a bit cross-off, so it's a bit chunky. By Friday the 10th afternoon, the wind goes offshore, and we get clean 5ft waves from the WSW. Saturday the 11th is looking mint with a glassy afternoon and 4ft swell. Then Sunday the 12th morning is clean at 5ft.
After that, things get messy. Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are a write-off with onshore winds and lumpy conditions. Wednesday the 15th is rain and onshore slop, not good.
But then, bang, Thursday the 16th is the one. The following Friday the 17th is still rideable with clean 5ft waves, but it's a step down. Saturday the 18th brings a shift in the swell direction to a NNW, with a shorter period but clean offshore winds, giving us some fun, punchy waves.
The week after that (from Sunday the 19th) looks smaller and weaker, with a lot of cross-off wind and marginal conditions. The energy drops right off. There's a flash in the pan on Thursday, July 23rd - a solid 5ft swell from the WSW with a long period and offshore wind, pushing strong energy (1573). That's a sneaky good day for the experienced. The following day, Friday the 24th, is bigger but the wind is cross-off, making it a bit of a handful.
So, for the keen ones, lock in Thursday, July 16th. It's a proper special day. Saturday the 18th and Thursday the 23rd are good secondary shouts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Thu morning, calm by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | W 12 | W 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1012 | 1763 | 969 | 1327 | 1023 | 1003 | 656 | 697 | 1230 | 1003 | 929 | 610 | 394 | 239 | 107 | 668 | 290 | 603 | 843 | 1051 | 2361 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 4:35PM2.58m | 4:59AM2.64m | 5:44PM2.65m | 6:10AM2.69m | 6:52PM2.78m | 7:18AM2.79m | 7:55PM2.96m | 8:19AM2.92m | 8:52PM3.13m | 9:15AM3.04m | 9:44PM3.28m | 10:07AM3.12m | 10:33PM3.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:22AM0.55m | 10:51PM0.70m | 11:27AM0.53m | 00:00AM0.64m | 12:32PM0.46m | 1:08AM0.52m | 1:35PM0.34m | 2:10AM0.36m | 2:34PM0.20m | 3:08AM0.20m | 3:28PM0.07m | 4:01AM0.07m | 4:19PM-0.01m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — |
 | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 14 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | WSW 15 |
| kJ | 799 | 1763 | 969 | 1327 | 1023 | 1003 | 656 | 413 | 1230 | 1003 | 929 | 610 | 394 | 239 | 107 | 668 | 290 | 603 | 843 | 526 | 2361 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | W 21 | WSW 19 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 21 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | — | — | — | — | N 13 | — | W 24 | WSW 13 | N 7 | NW 8 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | — |
| kJ | 1012 | 233 | 940 | 215 | 146 | 90 | 295 | 697 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 11 | 99 | 81 | 191 | 376 | 1051 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 23 | — | — | — | — | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 21 | WSW 13 | WSW 18 | W 21 | — | — |
| kJ | 42 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | 131 | 249 | 231 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 8 | S 7 | SE 3 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | N 6 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 296 | 234 | 183 | 90 | 28 | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 211 | 467 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 215 | 224 | 224 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 52 | 106 | 244 | 235 | 11 | 237 | 61 | 88 | 108 | 88 |
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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