Whakatane Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.94° S 177.00° E

Whakatane Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 24 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whakatane Heads sea temperature is
14.5°C
0.5° 

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


Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 24 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 27 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 27 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, NW swell with 410 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 27 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period with NW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whakatane Heads this week:

The surf forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 27) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 16 days are 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 27) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 28) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sun 27th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 27th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sun 27th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 7s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 5°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
Monday
28
Tuesday
29
Wednesday
30
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
10
0.1
NE
10
0.1
NE
9
0.4
WNW
5
0.1
NE
9
0.9
WNW
4
0.7
WNW
4
1.6
NW
6
2.1
NW
7
1.1
NNW
8
0.7
NNW
8
1.1
NW
4
0.6
NNW
5
0.6
W
5
0.6
NW
6
0.6
WNW
6
0.2
NNW
6
0.2
NNW
6
0.2
N
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4
4
3
8
3
24
21
155
410
142
56
42
19
16
29
20
4
4
3
Wind (km/h)
10
S
5
SW
15
NNW
10
SW
10
W
15
W
15
WNW
20
WNW
30
WNW
10
SW
10
W
20
W
15
WSW
10
W
0
ENE
10
SW
5
SSW
10
NNE
5
S
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
glassy
on
off
High Tide
5:06AM1.62m
5:43PM1.72m
5:54AM1.67m
6:22PM1.77m
6:42AM1.71m
7:03PM1.80m
7:27AM1.76m
7:46PM1.80m
8:12AM1.81m
8:34PM1.80m
8:57AM1.84m
9:24PM1.79m
Low Tide
11:17PM0.49m
11:31AM0.42m
00:05AM0.40m
12:16PM0.37m
00:51AM0.31m
1:02PM0.33m
1:36AM0.24m
1:49PM0.30m
2:19AM0.19m
2:38PM0.28m
3:04AM0.18m
3:26PM0.27m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
5:56
—
—
5:56
—
—
6:54
—
—
5:52
—
—
5:50
—
—
5:48
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
—
6:09
—
—
6:10
—
—
7:12
—
—
6:13
—
—
6:14
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—
6:15
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
11
13
14
11
15
17
13
16
15
11
14
16
11
15
15
12
15
14
13
Feels °C
8
9
12
8
11
14
11
12
10
7
9
11
6
12
13
9
12
11
12
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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Information about the Whakatane Heads Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Whakatane Heads provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Whakatane Heads can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Whakatane Heads 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 (Whakatane Heads) 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 Whakatane Heads 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 Bay of Plenty? If you are looking for accommodation near Whakatane Heads, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Bay of Plenty, consider staying in Whakatane which is 2 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around Bay of Plenty where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Rotorua which is 70 km (43 miles) away and Tauranga, 79 km (49 miles) away.

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