Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, N swell with 733 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 8s period. 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 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Rusty here, and let’s cut to the chase – the next 16 days look like a total bust for surf around here. For the first 12 days, there’s practically nothing. It’s a blank stretch from now until the 7th of September. The wind is wrong, the swell is weak, or it’s just messy. Patience is key.
The one and only highlight is on Tuesday morning, September 8th, at Whakatane Heads (New Zealand). The wind goes glassy, which is perfect for clean waves. You’ll see a 8ft swell from the NNW, with a combined swell energy of 750. The swell period is 8 seconds, so it’s not a super long groundswell, but at that size – over 7ft – it’s a big one. Only for the advanced crew. The water is a bit colder than average at 13°, so a 4/3mm wetsuit is a good idea. The optimum swell direction is from the NNE, and this one is a bit off from the NNW, but the glassy conditions will make it work. This is a beach-and-reef spot, so it can handle the size. The rest of the 8th goes onshore, and after that, it’s back to choppy, onshore junk. So, if you’re an expert, mark that Tuesday morning on the 8th. Otherwise, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 46mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | NE 10 | NE 5 | NNE 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | WNW 5 | NE 9 | WNW 5 | NNE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 8 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4 | 4 | 47 | 35 | 34 | 54 | 124 | 351 | 687 | 359 | 206 | 91 | 81 | 69 | 75 | 47 | 46 | 41 | 25 | 37 | 31 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:23PM1.71m | 6:28AM1.67m | 7:01PM1.75m | 7:11AM1.70m | 7:39PM1.78m | 7:53AM1.71m | 8:18PM1.79m | 8:35AM1.73m | 8:59PM1.78m | 9:17AM1.75m | 9:44PM1.76m | 10:02AM1.76m | 10:31PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:11PM0.41m | 00:40AM0.45m | 12:52PM0.34m | 1:25AM0.36m | 1:33PM0.29m | 2:07AM0.28m | 2:16PM0.26m | 2:49AM0.22m | 3:00PM0.24m | 3:31AM0.18m | 3:45PM0.25m | 4:14AM0.18m | 4:31PM0.28m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 9 | 19 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NNW 4 | N 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | E 6 | — | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 10 | NW 6 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 11 |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 687 | 359 | 206 | 86 | 81 | 55 | 64 | 32 | 46 | 41 | 25 | 11 | 18 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | NE 9 | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | NE 10 | — | — | N 11 | NNE 11 | N 11 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 87 | — | — | — | 47 | — | — | 2 | 12 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | — | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 3 | NE 5 | NNE 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | — | W 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WSW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 47 | 35 | 34 | 54 | 124 | 351 | — | 12 | 32 | 91 | 47 | 69 | 75 | 33 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 37 | 31 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 119 | 143 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 0 | 22 | 118 | 14 | 118 | 119 | 131 | 0 | 110 | 14 | 119 | 119 | 123 |
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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