Whakatane Heads surf break

Whakatane Heads surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Monday 12 Jan 2026 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
21.9° C
(Which is 2.2°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 Monday (Jan 12) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. 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 1.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jan 18) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jan 18) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Mon 12th Jan)3ft (0.9m) 5s
Best Surf10PM (Sat 17th Jan)4ft (1.2m) 9s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sun 18th Jan)4.5ft (1.4m) 9s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
NNE
0.3
NNE
0.3
NNE
0.7
ENE
1.1
NE
0.4
NNE
0.4
NNE
0.4
NNE
0.4
NNE
0.4
NE
0.5
NE
0.5
NE
0.6
NE
0.9
NE
0.9
NE
1
NE
1.1
NE
1.1
NE
1.3
NE
1.1
NE
0.8
NE
Period(s) (?)131314651312121211118867899999
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)333340285759444757305831456175119172199272216101
Wind
(km/h)
15
WNW
10
WNW
15
E
10
NE
20
NNE
10
NW
5
NW
15
N
5
NE
10
NNE
5
N
10
ENE
10
ENE
15
NNE
10
S
10
SSE
10
NNW
15
S
20
SSE
25
SSE
15
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
glassonglassononcrosscrosscross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:35PM
1.73
3:10AM
1.65
3:20PM
1.68
4:03AM
1.64
4:08PM
1.64
5:00AM
1.65
4:59PM
1.62
5:56AM
1.68
5:52PM
1.63
6:46AM
1.71
6:43PM
1.66
7:31AM
1.74
7:31PM
1.70
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:07PM
0.45
9:29AM
0.58
9:57PM
0.49
10:24AM
0.62
10:49PM
0.51
11:17AM
0.64
11:42PM
0.52
12:08PM
0.64
12:31AM
0.50
12:56PM
0.61
1:16AM
0.47
1:42PM
0.56
1:58AM
0.42
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Sunrise6:01--6:03--6:03--6:05--6:05--6:07--6:07--
Sunset-8:37--8:36--8:36--8:36--8:35--8:35--8:35-
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
----22--3547422------
Temp. °C242620202020212220212221212219242318202015
Feels °C (?)232519181821202321212322212221242315151511
  • 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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