Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, NNW swell with 418 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s is also forecast. 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 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM. 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Whakatane Heads over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, it’s flat as a tack. From now through Saturday the 8th of August, there’s barely a ripple—swell heights from 0.3ft to 0.7ft, energy readings under 30, and even a glassy moment or two but nothing worth paddling for. Waste of time.
Then Sunday the 9th of August, it finally fires up. Morning brings a 7ft NNW swell with a short 7-second period, but the energy jumps to 428 (strong). Winds are light cross-offshore, clean conditions. That afternoon it drops to 5ft from the NNW, glassy, with 8-second period and energy at 283. For a beach-and-reef setup like Whakatane Heads, that’s your best day right there. Only a one-day hit, so don’t miss it. Water temp’s about average for the season.
Monday the 10th drops back to 3ft, energy falls to 66. Not much to talk about, even with clean conditions. Tuesday and Wednesday see 4ft to 4ft from the north, but winds are up around 12-16 mph and cross-offshore, making it messy. Energy’s moderate (111-189), but quality’s poor.
Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th are tiny again—1ft to 2ft, energy below 70, and onshore breezes making it choppy. Nothing happening.
Now Saturday the 15th of August gives a second standout. Morning brings a 5ft NNE swell with 9-second period and solid 368 energy. Light offshore wind from the south, clean. That’s a good window for advanced surfers—size is solid but not for beginners. Afternoon onshore winds mess it up, so get in early.
From Sunday the 16th onward, it fades again. 2ft or less, moderate offshore winds, but energy’s weak (under 100) and the waves are too small to bother.
So your two real windows: Sunday the 9th of August morning with that 7ft NNW swell and clean/glassy conditions, and Saturday the 15th of August early with the 5ft NNE swell and clean offshores. Don’t sleep on those—the rest is a long flat wait.
Stay salty.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon night, min 3°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 5°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 4 | NNE 13 | NE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | N 13 | E 18 | NE 18 | N 18 | N 15 | N 14 | N 14 | N 13 | N 13 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 26 | 16 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 45 | 66 | 418 | 276 | 128 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 10:12PM1.78m | 10:24AM1.69m | 10:54PM1.76m | 11:11AM1.70m | 11:39PM1.74m | 12:03PM1.71m | 00:27AM1.74m | 12:58PM1.72m | 1:21AM1.75m | 1:58PM1.74m | 2:20AM1.76m | 3:06PM1.77m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:42AM0.25m | 4:50PM0.31m | 5:25AM0.24m | 5:37PM0.36m | 6:10AM0.26m | 6:29PM0.42m | 7:00AM0.31m | 7:27PM0.46m | 7:55AM0.35m | 8:31PM0.48m | 8:57AM0.37m | 9:36PM0.49m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | |  | | |  |  | | | |
 | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 6 | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | WNW 5 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | WNW 3 | N 14 | N 14 | N 13 | NW 4 | N 12 | N 12 | NE 13 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | 17 | 16 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 276 | 128 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | — | NE 12 | — | — | N 13 | E 18 | NE 18 | N 16 | N 15 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 15 | N 13 | NE 14 | NE 13 | N 12 | NE 13 | NE 12 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 24 | — | — | 3 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | N 14 | — | — | N 12 | E 5 | N 18 | NE 10 | NE 16 | NE 16 | NE 10 | NE 14 | NE 10 | N 10 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 4 | SSE 3 | S 4 | SSW 3 | S 3 | SSE 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | — | — |
| kJ | 26 | 18 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 45 | 66 | 418 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 47 | 47 | 81 | 121 | 121 | 90 | 121 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 121 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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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