Whakatane Heads surf break

Whakatane Heads surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Saturday 06 Dec 2025 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Whakatane Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Whakatane Heads sea temperature is
21.0° C
(Which is 3.4°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whakatane Heads this week:

The surf forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 06) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 12 days are 2.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 10) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Dec 13) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 6th Dec)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf10AM (Wed 10th Dec)6.5ft (2.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 1PM (Wed 10th Dec)7ft (2.2m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
1
4
3
2
2
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.7
N
0.7
N
0.7
N
0.6
N
0.6
N
0.5
N
0.5
N
0.4
N
0.4
N
0.3
N
0.3
N
0.8
NNE
2
NNE
2.3
NNE
1.9
NNE
1.4
NNE
1.4
NE
1.1
NE
1.2
N
1.1
N
0.9
NNE
Period(s) (?)151414131313121212111181211121199999
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)21520620212712384734644222275118912811002469350203246203140
Wind
(km/h)
10
W
10
WNW
15
SW
5
WSW
10
N
5
SE
10
ENE
15
NNE
0
SSE
0
ESE
10
NNE
5
SSE
5
SSE
20
NE
10
SSE
10
S
5
NNE
15
SW
20
WSW
20
W
5
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscross-
off
glassoncross-
off
cross-
on
onglassglassonglassglasscross-
on
offoffoncross-
off
cross-
off
crossoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:40PM
2.02
9:16AM
2.13
9:33PM
2.02
10:08AM
2.12
10:24PM
1.99
11:00AM
2.08
11:14PM
1.92
11:53AM
2.01
12:07AM
1.84
12:46PM
1.93
1:03AM
1.76
1:37PM
1.85
2:01AM
1.70
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:45PM
0.38
3:06AM
0.23
3:40PM
0.39
3:57AM
0.22
4:33PM
0.40
4:48AM
0.24
5:27PM
0.42
5:39AM
0.30
6:22PM
0.43
6:30AM
0.38
7:16PM
0.43
7:23AM
0.46
8:09PM
0.43
Saturday
06
Sunday
07
Monday
08
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Sunrise5:41--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:43--
Sunset-8:22--8:22--8:23--8:24--8:25--8:25--8:27-
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
--------------513----
Temp. °C262923242420222118222118232118242119222416
Feels °C (?)242722212221222020201919211918262321181912
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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 12 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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