Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, NNW swell with 1,043 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 12AM (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 (Sep 05) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty talkin’ again.
First week’s looking pretty grim—mostly ankle-biters with messy wind. The only real standout around here is Monday the 7th of September. After that, it dries up fast. Tuesday the 8th has a small clean window but the swell’s tiny, and then we hit a long dead stretch with barely anything through to the 13th and beyond.
At Whakatane Heads, the best session is Monday afternoon the 7th of September. We get a solid 7ft swell from the NNW, period 9 seconds, and a clean cross-off wind from the WSW at 6 mph. The wave energy sits at 820 (moderate). It’s gonna be clean, good shape, and proper for the advanced surfers. Crowds are possible here, but that’s normal. Water temp is 57°, which is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
That 7ft is a bit much for beginners so leave it to the experienced crew. The wind is off and the waves should have some push.
After that, Monday morning the 7th has 8ft but with crosswind and messy conditions—only for experts willing to take the beating.
From the 8th through the 16th, it’s mostly flat or tiny with poor winds, onshore slop, or glassy but nothing to ride. The only slight hint of life is Sunday morning the 13th with 4ft from the NE at 6 seconds, glassy, but energy is 133 (weak). Not worth suiting up for.
The big gap is from the 7th afternoon until the 13th morning with no real options, and then it stays flat. This break is fairly consistent in general, but this stretch is just one of those quiet spells. If you want a wave, make that Monday afternoon session your only real play.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the NNW by Sun afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 6 | NE 9 | W 4 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | W 5 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 33 | 28 | 18 | 63 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 25 | 60 | 196 | 121 | 75 | 40 | 18 | 18 | 263 | 836 | 1022 | 820 | 227 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:44PM1.76m | 10:02AM1.76m | 10:31PM1.74m | 10:51AM1.75m | 11:19PM1.74m | 11:44AM1.74m | 00:10AM1.74m | 12:43PM1.72m | 1:04AM1.74m | 1:46PM1.72m | 2:04AM1.72m | 2:55PM1.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:45PM0.25m | 4:14AM0.18m | 4:31PM0.28m | 4:58AM0.20m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | | | |  | | | |  |  | | | |  |  |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 17 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 10 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 9 |
Feels °C | 12 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NW 5 | NE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | ENE 10 | NNW 5 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | 33 | 23 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 121 | 75 | 10 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1022 | 820 | 227 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 6 | N 11 | N 11 | NE 9 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | — | NE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 10 | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | 10 | 4 | 10 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 11 | NE 11 | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | W 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | W 4 | W 5 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 6 | W 3 | SW 3 | NW 6 | WSW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | — | — | SSW 3 |
| kJ | 31 | 28 | 18 | 63 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 25 | 60 | 196 | 5 | 1 | 40 | 3 | 18 | 263 | 836 | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 47 | 119 | 118 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 0 | 0 | 126 | 123 | 119 | 143 | 151 | 118 | 0 | 0 |
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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