Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, NNE swell with 839 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s 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 07) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. 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 2.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here, and we’re dialing into Whakatane Heads. This is a beach and reef spot that handles north swell best, exposed to the open ocean. Water temp is about 60°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real good window hits on Wednesday, July 8th, in the morning. We’ve got swell running around 6ft from the north, with a 9-second period. The wind is blowing offshore from the south at 12 mph, and it’s clean. The combined swell energy is moderate (781). That’s your best session in the first week. The afternoon drops to 4ft, still offshore, still clean, but with less punch.
Tuesday the 7th morning offers a smaller window – about 4ft from the NNW, with a light cross-offshore breeze. It’s rideable and clean, but not a standout.
Thursday the 9th morning holds a light offshore wind, but the swell is down to 3ft with weak energy (89). Just ordinary surf. Then comes a flat spell from Friday the 10th through Wednesday the 15th. We’re talking ankle-snatchers at best, even with the occasional glassy conditions. The 13th sees some glass, but it’s on 0.3ft – completely unrideable.
Looking further out, Thursday the 16th brings some size back. The afternoon shows 7ft from the north, with strong energy (1490). The wind is light cross-onshore, so expect a little texture, but that’s serious swell. The morning of the 16th has 7ft (602 energy) as well. That’s expert territory – anything over 8ft is for pros only, and this is close.
Friday the 17th looks like a clean payoff. Offshore wind from the south at 9 mph, with 6ft of NE swell and good energy (512). That’s a beautiful, clean, powerful day. Later it eases to 4ft but stays clean.
After that, it fades again from Saturday the 18th onward. Swell energy drops into the weak zone, and the last days are flat with onshore or cross-shore winds.
Best bets: Wednesday morning the 8th for that clean, offshore 6ft north swell, and Friday the 17th for more offshore clean conditions on similar size. The 16th is the biggest but has a slight cross-on wind, so it’ll be a little on the rough side.
Crowds can pop up sometimes at Whakatane Heads, so plan for company on the good days.
Stay patient through the flat middle of the outlook, and you’ll get rewarded.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | N 7 | N 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 | E 9 | E 7 | N 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 469 | 706 | 223 | 207 | 310 | 777 | 495 | 230 | 206 | 81 | 48 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:48AM1.66m | 11:25PM1.78m | 11:35AM1.66m | 00:07AM1.78m | 12:27PM1.67m | 00:52AM1.77m | 1:22PM1.70m | 1:42AM1.78m | 2:19PM1.75m | 2:41AM1.80m | 3:22PM1.80m | 3:46AM1.83m | 4:32PM1.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:14PM0.37m | 5:56AM0.36m | 5:59PM0.42m | 6:41AM0.35m | 6:50PM0.48m | 7:28AM0.35m | 7:47PM0.52m | 8:20AM0.38m | 8:49PM0.53m | 9:19AM0.40m | 9:53PM0.52m | 10:23AM0.39m | 10:57PM0.50m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — |
 | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — |
mm | 12 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 9 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | — | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 7 | E 6 |
| kJ | 469 | — | 223 | 207 | 310 | 777 | 495 | 230 | 206 | 81 | 48 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | — | NE 8 | NE 8 | — | E 11 | NE 9 | NE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 8 | N 13 | NE 9 | N 12 | N 11 | E 9 | N 11 |
| kJ | 21 | — | 169 | 177 | — | 21 | 269 | 201 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NE 9 | N 13 | N 12 | — | N 11 | N 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 17 | 17 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 8 | — | — | NE 8 | SE 4 | SE 3 | SSE 3 | S 3 | SSE 3 | — | S 3 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | SSE 3 |
| kJ | — | 706 | — | — | 241 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | 7 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 119 | 103 | 43 | 0 | 131 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 62 | 80 | 90 | 81 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 61 | 81 |
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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