Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, NE swell with 73 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with NE 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 (Aug 16) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 16 days are 0.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, let's break it down for the imperial crew.
Look, the first week around Whakatane Heads is a tough watch. Sunday the 16th gives us a tiny 3ft NE swell, with a light offshore breeze – you could surf it, but it's not a headline. Then it goes flat and weak from Monday the 17th through to Saturday the 22nd, with waves mostly under 1.5ft and energy readings dropping into the single digits. The water is sitting at 56.7°, which is a bit colder than average for the season – you'll want a good wetsuit.
We get a little bump on Sunday the 23rd, but it's a short-period windswell from the WNW at about 2ft – not much to work with. Monday the 24th brings some size, around 5ft from the NNW, but it's got 25 mph onshore winds and moderate energy (244), so it's messy.
Here's where you set your alarm. Tuesday morning, the 25th of August is the clear winner. We're looking at 6.5ft surf from the N, with a 9-second period and a massive 666 energy reading. The wind goes glassy – dead calm. That's going to be clean, powerful, and best for experienced surfers at that size. The direction is a bit off the ideal NNE, but with zero wind and that much juice, it's the best day of the whole outlook. The afternoon on the 25th gets choppy with cross-onshore wind, so paddle out first thing.
The rest of the second week is a flat, weak fade-out. Nothing else comes close to that Tuesday morning window.
If you only go once in the next two weeks, make it the morning of the 25th.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 4°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 10 | N 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NNW 3 | E 5 | NW 3 | NW 4 | W 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 109 | 73 | 29 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 12 | 21 | 12 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:09AM1.86m | 9:34PM1.91m | 9:57AM1.83m | 10:22PM1.85m | 10:45AM1.78m | 11:08PM1.80m | 11:33AM1.73m | 11:51PM1.75m | 12:22PM1.68m | 00:34AM1.69m | 1:12PM1.64m | 1:18AM1.63m | 2:05PM1.62m | 2:07AM1.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:32PM0.24m | 4:05AM0.21m | 4:20PM0.27m | 4:51AM0.23m | 5:05PM0.32m | 5:35AM0.28m | 5:50PM0.40m | 6:19AM0.34m | 6:38PM0.48m | 7:04AM0.42m | 7:31PM0.55m | 7:51AM0.49m | 8:28PM0.61m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 10 |
Feels °C | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 5 | NNW 3 | — | — | N 12 | N 15 | N 14 | N 14 |
| kJ | 109 | 73 | 29 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 7 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 12 | E 9 | NE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 11 | — | E 9 | N 10 | — | E 5 | E 9 | E 9 | E 5 | E 5 | — | — | — | NE 11 | NE 11 |
| kJ | — | 6 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 11 | N 6 | N 11 | NE 11 | — | N 10 | NE 10 | E 9 | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | — | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | S 4 | S 3 | SSW 3 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | S 3 | SSW 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 4 | W 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 13 | 24 | 13 | 6 | 2 | — | 6 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 17 | 12 | 21 | 12 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 81 | 90 | 90 | 61 | 81 | 121 | 121 | 90 | 172 | 90 | 90 | 121 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 119 | 119 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Bay of Plenty | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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