Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, NNW swell with 226 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period with N 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 16 days are 1.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks at Whakatane Heads.
Honestly, mate, it’s a grim picture for this stretch. The whole 16-day window is looking flat and frustrating. We’ve got a massive gap right from the start with no real surf to speak of. From now through to the morning of Thursday the 18th, it’s all tiny, weak junk – we’re talking waves around 0.7ft to 1ft and combined swell energy barely getting into the low double-digits (20 to 30). It’s just not worth paddling out for.
Then, on the morning of Thursday the 18th, things tease us a little. We finally see a small pulse of swell bump up to about 3ft from the north, with a short period of 7 seconds and combined energy hitting 110 – that’s at least moderate energy. But even then, the conditions are only “surfable waves but very ordinary.” It’s not a standout by any stretch. The wind is offshore from the SSW, which will clean it up a bit, but the swell is just too weak and short-period to get excited about.
The afternoon of the 18th is similar, with 3ft from the NNE and an 8-second period, combined energy of 119, and a moderate offshore breeze from the south. Still, “surfable but very ordinary” is the best we get.
After that little blip, it’s back to the doldrums. From the 19th right through to the end of the forecast on the 30th of September, it’s all tiny waves under 3ft, mostly with weak combined energy (under 60), and wind conditions that are all over the place – cross-off, cross, onshore, glassy. Nothing builds. Nothing gets clean. It’s a real flat spell.
There is no standout day. No best option. Just a couple of half-decent mornings on the 18th where you *might* find a grovelly little wave if you’re desperate. The water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing unusual there.
For an exposed spot like this, a long stretch of nothing is pretty normal. The ocean just ain’t playing ball.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | N 12 | NNE 12 | NW 4 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | N 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 5 | NW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 22 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 74 | 219 | 100 | 90 | 94 | 22 | 15 | 37 | 41 | 41 | 14 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 9:06PM1.80m | 9:31AM1.81m | 9:51PM1.77m | 10:15AM1.77m | 10:33PM1.73m | 11:00AM1.72m | 11:14PM1.69m | 11:46AM1.69m | 11:55PM1.63m | 12:34PM1.65m | 00:39AM1.58m | 1:25PM1.62m | 1:29AM1.54m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:35AM0.19m | 3:53PM0.28m | 4:18AM0.23m | 4:35PM0.34m | 4:59AM0.29m | 5:18PM0.42m | 5:39AM0.37m | 6:05PM0.50m | 6:21AM0.45m | 6:57PM0.56m | 7:07AM0.53m | 7:52PM0.61m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 7 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | ENE 3 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 12 | NNW 4 | NNE 11 | NNW 7 | N 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | WNW 4 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NW 5 |
| kJ | 22 | 1 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 23 | 6 | 13 | 219 | 100 | 90 | 94 | 6 | 15 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | NNE 11 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | NE 12 | N 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NW 6 | N 9 | E 3 | — | N 8 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | 1 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 13 | NE 13 | N 12 | N 12 | NE 10 | N 11 | N 10 | N 11 | — | N 11 | NE 11 | — | — | NE 9 | — | N 10 | — | N 11 | NE 11 |
| kJ | 14 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 5 | — | — | 22 | — | 8 | — | 2 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | — | NNW 5 | — | SSW 4 | S 3 | W 6 | SW 3 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 5 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | 7 | — | 74 | — | 15 | 8 | 68 | 3 | 14 | 37 | 41 | 41 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 119 | 119 | 145 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 119 | 119 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 47 | 121 | 118 | 119 | 47 | 47 |
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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