Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, N swell with 377 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with NNE 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 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m 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 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here with the heads-up for Whakatane Heads. It's gonna be a quiet couple of weeks, with one main day worth paddling out for.
Water temp is 57°F, which is a bit colder than usual for the season, so bundle up.
From Sunday the 13th right through to Friday the 18th, it's mostly tiny junk. Swell under 1ft, weak energy, and mostly onshore or crosswind. A few glassy mornings but no swell to ride. Not worth wetting a wetsuit.
Saturday the 19th is your window. Morning brings a clean 5ft swell from the north, with glassy conditions – very light SW wind, just a slight air. Combined energy around 315 (moderate), period a short 8 seconds, but it'll be clean and punchy. Saturday afternoon is even better: 5ft from the NNE, dead calm and glassy, energy hitting 425. The waves will be clean, offering good rights at the beach/reef. Crowds can show up *sometimes*, so expect company. This is the session for advanced surfers; beginners might find 5ft a bit much.
After that, it drops back to tiny stuff – Sunday 20th has a 3ft morning with cross-on wind, then a 2ft glassy afternoon that’s just ordinary. From Monday the 21st through to the end of the month, we’re looking at ankle-slappers under 2ft, short and long-period slop, and only occasional clean offshore windows with no energy. A small bump on Monday the 28th shows 4ft and glassy but with a 5-second period, so it’s soft (energy 97). Afternoon jumps to 6ft but with onshore wind and messy conditions.
So circle Saturday 19th. That’s the one. The rest is a long flat spell. Keep your eyes on the forecasts, but for now, that’s the call.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NNE 12 | NW 4 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NNE 11 | N 7 | NNW 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 29 | 27 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 12 | 226 | 232 | 186 | 294 | 322 | 283 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross |
High Tide | 8:20PM1.83m | 8:46AM1.83m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:22PM0.24m | 2:52AM0.18m | 3:09PM0.25m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 11 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | NE 13 | WNW 4 | NE 12 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 3 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NNW 4 | NE 11 | NNW 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 |
| kJ | 26 | 27 | 4 | 23 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 6 | 5 | 220 | 186 | 294 | 322 | 283 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 12 | N 14 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 11 | ENE 3 | NE 13 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | NNW 4 | — | NNE 11 | — | NNE 8 | NNW 8 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 24 | 4 | 23 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 12 | — | 232 | 116 | 21 | 103 | 88 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 15 | N 15 | N 14 | — | N 13 | N 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | — | NE 10 | N 11 | N 10 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 16 | — | 3 | 14 | 7 | 7 | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | NNE 2 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 | NW 4 | W 4 | — | — | NE 4 | N 7 | — | — | — | S 2 | SSE 3 |
| kJ | 29 | 9 | 1 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | 10 | — | — | 4 | 226 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 288 | 81 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 145 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 119 | 119 | 103 | 76 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
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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