Whakatane Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's coming up for Whakatane Heads.

It's a slow start. From Wednesday the 22nd right through the end of July, the waves are tiny. We're looking at swell heights of 0.3 ft to 1 ft, with combined energy barely registering (4 to 60). A lot of flat, glassy mornings but nothing to paddle out for. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises.

The first real pulse shows up on Saturday the 25th. We get a 5 ft swell from the NNW, but it's a short period (8 seconds) and the wind is cross-shore or cross-offshore. The energy is moderate (337-342), but it's only a marginal day. Keep an eye on it, but don't clear your schedule.

Sunday the 26th afternoon is surfable but very ordinary. Some clean 3 ft waves from the NNW, but again, a short period (6 seconds) makes it weak. The energy is low (68). Not a standout.

We then slide back into a quiet spell until Tuesday the 4th of August. That's a solid gap of about a week with very little to offer.

The Standout Window

Tuesday the 4th of August is where things get interesting. The morning brings a 8 ft swell from the NNW with an 8-second period and a light cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is a strong 699. The conditions are clean. This is a powerful setup for the beach and reef. But at 8 ft, it's in the territory for the experienced crew only. Beginners should sit this one out.

The following morning, Wednesday the 5th of August, looks like the best of the lot. The swell is 8 ft from the N, with a period of 9 seconds, and we have light offshore winds from the SSW. Energy is very high at 958. It's clean, it's punchy, and it's a proper groundswell for the point and reef. This is the one to mark on the calendar. The afternoon gets a little onshore, but the morning session is the pick.

Thursday the 6th of August morning is still a good option. The swell drops to 4 ft from the N, but the period is a nice 10 seconds, and the conditions are glassy. The energy is 270, which is moderate. It's a much cleaner, more manageable wave for a wider range of surfers, and that glassy surface will be a treat.

To sum it up: the first week is a write-off for any real surf. The standout is definitely the morning of Wednesday the 5th of August, with that big, clean 8 ft groundswell. Tuesday the 4th is strong too, but the wind is a little more cross-shore. Thursday the 6th is the best bet for a glassy, fun-sized wave if the big stuff is too much. Crowds are possible at Whakatane Heads, as it can get busy, but the quality makes it worth it.

Rusty.

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