Whakatane Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on offer for our region.

Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – it’s a flat spell for the next week and a bit. The first ten days are pretty grim, so don't bother waxing up just yet. We're looking at a long gap until things start to turn.

Tuesday the 14th through to the 22nd is all tiny, weak junk. We're talking ankle-snappers with combined swell energies barely scraping triple digits, mostly in the 20s and 80s (82 to 97). Winds are all over the shop, but the waves just aren't there. Wednesday the 22nd afternoon actually shows a pulse of energy creeping in – a 4ft swell from the NE with a period of 7 seconds and combined energy of 249 – but it's still not enough to get excited about.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 23rd of July is where the big boys show up. This is the standout. Whakatane Heads starts pumping. We’re looking at a solid 8ft to 10ft NNE groundswell, with a period of 11 to 12 seconds. The combined energy is absolutely pumping – we’re talking 1306 to 2137, so that's strong to very strong wave energy. The wind holds clean and cross-off from the ESE, keeping the faces nice and lined up. This is proper, powerful surf. That said, when it’s pushing 10ft and over, this is strictly for the advanced crew – if you’re not comfortable in heavy water, sit this one out. The long period (11-12 seconds) means these are well-shaped, powerful waves, but at a beach and reef setup like Whakatane Heads, expect them to stand up and pitch. Crowds are possible here, but with that size, there’ll be plenty of water.

The swell hangs in through Friday the 24th, still a meaty 8ft to 10ft with similar energy (1898 to 2126) and clean conditions. Saturday the 25th is a step down, but still solid at 8ft to 8ft from the NE with periods holding at 12 seconds and energy around 1500-1700. The wind stays cross-off from the SE, so it remains clean. Still expert territory, but the quality is there.

Sunday the 26th of July is your call if the big stuff is too much. The size drops to a more manageable 6ft from the NE/ENE. The period is still a long 11-12 seconds, so there’s plenty of push. Combined energy is still solid at 752 to 1152. Morning looks glassy with a slight offshore breeze – that’s going to be clean, well-shaped, and a good option for strong intermediates. The afternoon sees a light cross-shore wind, so still totally surfable.

After that, Monday the 27th still has some fun 4ft swell from the ENE, but it’s dropping. After that, we're back to small stuff for the rest of the period.

So here’s the deal: if you’re an experienced surfer looking for some serious power, clear your calendar for the 23rd and 24th of July – that’s the best on offer. For the rest of us, the 26th of July is the pick of the week for a solid, clean session without getting pounded.

Stay safe, and I’ll catch you in the water.

Rusty

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