Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 7s period, NNW swell with 833 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period with NNW 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. 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 3.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) 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 0.6m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
To be straight with you, the next 16 days at Whakatane Heads are looking pretty grim. There’s a good run of nothing happening right now, and it’s not until Saturday morning, September 5th, that we finally see a surfable wave. Before that, it’s all small, choppy, and wind-affected junk. The water is sitting at 56°, which is a bit colder than what we’d normally expect for this time of year.
So, Saturday morning, September 5th, is the first real chance. We’ve got a clean 3ft swell from the NNW, with a light WSW breeze blowing cross-offshore. The energy is weak though, only sitting at 90 (combined energy). It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Not a standout by any stretch.
Sunday morning, September 6th, is glassy with a tiny 2ft NW swell, but the energy is pathetic at 17. Not worth paddling out for.
Now, Monday morning, September 7th, we get a pulse of size. A 10ft swell from the NNW hits, with a solid 835 energy reading. But the wind is howling from the NW at 16 mph, cross-on and choppy, and the period is a short 7 seconds. That’s a messy, blown-out mess. This is big enough (over 8ft) that only experts should even think about it, but honestly, with the wind, it looks more like a kite surfing day than a paddle surfing day.
The next morning, Tuesday, September 8th, cleans up nicely. A 5ft N swell with a WSW cross-offshore breeze at 9 mph, clean conditions. The period is 8 seconds, and the energy is moderate at 274. This is the best window on offer. It’s not huge, but it’s clean and rideable. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so you might have some company.
After that, it’s back to small, weak, and mostly wind-affected slop for the rest of the week and into the next. There’s a brief moment on Wednesday morning, September 16th, with glassy conditions and a 1.0ft NE swell, but it’s tiny with only 60 energy. On Thursday morning, September 17th, we get a clean 4ft NNW swell with glassy conditions, period of 6 seconds, and 130 energy. It’s surfable, but still very ordinary.
Honestly, the standout is Tuesday, September 8th. That’s your best bet. After that, keep an eye on the long-range for Thursday, September 17th, but it’s a long way out and not certain.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 6 | W 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 14 | 32 | 69 | 169 | 121 | 86 | 49 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 62 | 833 | 497 | 367 | 257 | 187 | 115 | 34 | 23 | 28 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:19PM1.74m | 11:44AM1.74m | 00:10AM1.74m | 12:43PM1.72m | 1:04AM1.74m | 1:46PM1.72m | 2:04AM1.72m | 2:55PM1.75m | 3:10AM1.70m | 4:03PM1.80m | 4:17AM1.70m | 5:03PM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:20PM0.32m | 5:47AM0.24m | 6:13PM0.37m | 6:39AM0.29m | 7:12PM0.42m | 7:36AM0.32m | 8:16PM0.45m | 8:39AM0.34m | 9:22PM0.46m | 9:43AM0.33m | 10:25PM0.43m | 10:45AM0.30m | 11:27PM0.37m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 9 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 13 | 11 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | NE 10 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NE 10 | NNW 5 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 10 | E 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 11 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 121 | 86 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 497 | 367 | 257 | 187 | 115 | 34 | 23 | 28 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | — | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | NE 8 | — | — | N 16 | NE 16 | NE 17 | NE 16 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNW 6 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | — | — | 5 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 23 | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 19 | — | — | NE 16 | NNE 15 | NNE 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 10 | 22 | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 6 | W 3 | SSW 3 | NW 6 | W 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | NW 4 | W 4 | — | — | W 3 |
| kJ | 14 | 32 | 69 | 169 | 8 | 1 | 49 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 62 | 833 | — | — | — | 23 | 9 | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 5 | 0 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 90 | 54 | 0 | 5 | 103 | 0 | 5 | 76 | 22 |
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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