Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, NNW swell with 164 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 16 days are 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy 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 (Jul 18) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got coming down the pipe for Whakatane Heads.
Right now, it’s a flat spell. We’re looking at a long, dry gap with no worthwhile surf at all through the first week. From Sunday the 12th right through to Tuesday the 21st, it’s mostly tiny dribble or blown-out junk – nothing to get out of bed for. The water temp is sitting around 60°, which is bang on average for this time of year.
The real story starts to build on Tuesday the 21st July. On Tuesday afternoon, the swell starts to show some life with a 6 ft NE groundswell pushing in with moderate energy (471). The wind is cross-off from the SE at 9 mph, so you’ll find clean lines out there. It’s getting interesting, but it’s still not the main event.
The standout window is undeniably Wednesday the 22nd July through Friday the 24th. Wednesday morning is the absolute peak. We’re looking at a massive 15 ft NE groundswell with very long period, 12 seconds, delivering exceptional energy levels (5180). This is big, powerful, and it’s coming with a solid offshore wind from the SSE at 12 mph. That is going to produce some of the best, most critical waves you’ll see all year. There will be long gaps between sets, but the paddling out will be easier because of it. This is strictly for experts – anyone less experienced needs to stay on the beach and watch. The wave direction is NNE, matching the optimum, so expect perfectly groomed, heavy barrels at the Heads. Wednesday afternoon stays excellent, with 13 ft surf and still clean offshore winds. Thursday and Friday keep the quality high with 8 ft to 6 ft swells, offshore winds, and all that NE groundswell energy still pumping. The crowd situation at Whakatane Heads is listed as “sometimes” busy, so with this quality, expect plenty of company out there.
After that, the swell eases into the weekend. Saturday the 25th still has some fun 4 ft to 3 ft leftovers with clean offshore wind in the morning, and the water temp anomaly is normal for late July. From Sunday onwards, it drops off into smaller, less consistent stuff with some onshore wind sneaking in. Nothing to stress about missing.
So, if you’re charging, the only date in your diary needs to be Wednesday 22nd July – no question about it. That one is special.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon night, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | N 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 9 | E 19 | E 18 | E 18 | W 4 | W 4 | N 9 | N 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 45 | 81 | 104 | 95 | 46 | 23 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 2 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:32PM1.87m | 4:51AM1.88m | 5:40PM1.97m | 5:53AM1.93m | 6:39PM2.07m | 6:51AM1.95m | 7:31PM2.13m | 7:46AM1.96m | 8:21PM2.14m | 8:39AM1.95m | 9:11PM2.10m | 9:30AM1.92m | 10:02PM2.02m | 10:22AM1.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:57PM0.50m | 11:26AM0.34m | 00:00AM0.46m | 12:23PM0.27m | 00:59AM0.42m | 1:17PM0.22m | 1:57AM0.38m | 2:09PM0.19m | 2:51AM0.34m | 3:01PM0.21m | 3:42AM0.30m | 3:53PM0.24m | 4:33AM0.28m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 |
 | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | 5:13 |
mm | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 11 |
Feels °C | 10 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 5 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | — | — | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 | NNE 5 | N 4 | WNW 3 | — | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | N 9 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 95 | 46 | 23 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 11 | NE 12 | — | E 9 | N 11 | N 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NNE 5 | NNW 5 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NW 5 | — | — | — | NW 4 | N 8 |
| kJ | — | 2 | 6 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | N 10 | N 11 | N 9 | — | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NW 5 | NW 5 | E 19 | E 18 | E 18 | — | — | — | N 9 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | — | — | NW 2 | WSW 2 | — | WNW 2 | — | — | W 3 | W 3 | W 4 | W 4 | SE 3 | SSE 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 45 | 81 | 104 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 121 | 90 | 90 | 119 | 119 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 90 | 90 | 110 | 118 | 118 | 81 | 118 | 90 |
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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