Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, NNW swell with 408 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 (Aug 01) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 17s. 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 2.2m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 3AM. 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Whakatane Heads. It’s a bit of a slow burn this fortnight, to be honest. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget the extra rubber if you’re heading out.
We’re starting off on Thursday the 30th with pretty much nothing. Tiny little 0.3ft waves and glassy conditions, but it’s a flat spell. That carries right on through Friday the 31st, even though the swell bumps up a touch to 6ft on Friday morning, the wind is junk – cross-shore and messy – so it’s not worth the paddle. The combined swell energy is moderate at 379, but the quality is poor.
Saturday the 1st of August shows a little hope. The morning brings clean conditions with a light offshore wind from the south, but the swell is only 3ft from the NNW with a weak energy of 73. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The afternoon gets even smaller. Sunday through to the following weekend is a long, frustrating stretch of tiny waves, mostly under 2ft, and weak energy readings in the teens and twenties. You’ll be waiting.
Now, the real standout shows up on Wednesday the 12th of August. This is the one. The morning delivers 8ft of NE swell with a period of 11 seconds and a very strong combined energy of 1244. The wind is light and cross-off from the SSE, keeping it clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – that size is too much for beginners. The afternoon holds at 7ft with energy at 1078 and clean conditions again. This is a quality window for the crew that knows what they’re doing. After that, it drops back down through Thursday and into Friday, with smaller, cleaner waves but nothing that matches that Wednesday peak.
So, overall, you’ve got a long flat spell for the first week and a bit, then one solid, clean day for the advanced surfers on Wednesday the 12th. After that, it fades. If you’re after the best of the bunch, that Wednesday is your day.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 5°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 12 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNE 16 | NNE 16 | NNE 15 | NNE 15 | NNE 13 | NE 13 | W 4 | NNE 13 | NE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 4 | N 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 14 | 258 | 363 | 337 | 163 | 56 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 28 | 21 | 16 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 29 | 130 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:36PM1.77m | 7:41AM1.71m | 8:13PM1.79m | 8:20AM1.71m | 8:52PM1.80m | 9:00AM1.71m | 9:31PM1.79m | 9:40AM1.70m | 10:12PM1.78m | 10:24AM1.69m | 10:54PM1.76m | 11:11AM1.70m | 11:39PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:26PM0.37m | 1:55AM0.44m | 2:05PM0.32m | 2:37AM0.38m | 2:45PM0.28m | 3:19AM0.32m | 3:25PM0.26m | 4:00AM0.28m | 4:07PM0.27m | 4:42AM0.25m | 4:50PM0.31m | 5:25AM0.24m | 5:37PM0.36m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | — | 1 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 6 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | E 6 | E 14 | NNW 7 | NE 18 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 6 | NNE 15 | NNE 13 | NE 13 | NNE 13 | WNW 5 | NE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 4 | NNE 12 | NNE 11 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 4 | 363 | 13 | 163 | 56 | 27 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 21 | 17 | 28 | 17 | 4 | 24 | 14 | 2 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 18 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 16 | NNE 15 | N 5 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 13 | NW 4 | — | NNE 12 | N 13 | NE 18 |
| kJ | — | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 25 | 22 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 1 | — | 14 | 3 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 14 | N 19 | NE 18 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 17 | NNE 17 | NNE 16 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 7 | NE 10 | — | NE 7 | N 8 | N 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | N 19 | N 12 |
| kJ | 3 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 29 | 25 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | — | NNW 8 | SW 4 | — | SE 2 | SSE 3 | S 3 | — | W 3 | W 3 | WNW 4 | W 4 | SW 3 | — | — | — | NE 4 | N 6 |
| kJ | — | 14 | 258 | — | 337 | 2 | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 18 | 21 | 2 | — | — | — | 29 | 130 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 61 | 119 | 119 | 61 | 118 | 5 | 0 | 47 | 76 | 81 | 119 | 118 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 121 | 296 | 121 | 76 | 22 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Bay of Plenty | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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