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Whakatane Heads surf break

Whakatane Heads surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Tuesday 09 Dec 2025 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Whakatane Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Whakatane Heads sea temperature is
20.2° C
(Which is 2.5°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whakatane Heads this week:

The surf forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 09) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 12 days are 2.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 10) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Dec 13) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Tue 9th Dec)1ft (0.3m) 13s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 10th Dec)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 10th Dec)7ft (2.1m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
4
2
3
3
0
2
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
N
0.3
N
0.8
NNE
2.1
NNE
2.2
NE
1.9
NE
1.6
NNE
1.4
NNE
1.1
NNE
0.9
NNE
0.9
NNE
0.6
NNE
0.3
N
0.3
N
0.3
ENE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.3
NNW
Period(s) (?)1111812111011119988121288889915
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)222278132311107305824602161319648252413161615271942
Wind
(km/h)
5
NNE
10
N
5
SE
5
NNE
15
NNE
10
SW
0
NNE
15
N
5
SW
10
SW
15
NE
20
SSE
10
SSE
15
NNW
5
NW
5
NNE
20
NNW
10
NNW
5
N
15
NNW
10
NNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glassonglassglassoncross-
off
glassonglasscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
on
onononcross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:00AM
2.08
11:14PM
1.92
11:53AM
2.01
12:07AM
1.84
12:46PM
1.93
1:03AM
1.76
1:37PM
1.85
2:01AM
1.70
2:28PM
1.78
2:57AM
1.66
3:18PM
1.72
3:51AM
1.64
4:09PM
1.69
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:27PM
0.42
5:39AM
0.30
6:22PM
0.43
6:30AM
0.38
7:16PM
0.43
7:23AM
0.46
8:09PM
0.43
8:19AM
0.51
9:00PM
0.45
9:16AM
0.55
9:50PM
0.47
10:12AM
0.57
10:43PM
0.48
Tuesday
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Sunrise5:41--5:41--5:41--5:43--5:43--5:43--5:43--
Sunset-8:24--8:25--8:25--8:27--8:28--8:29--8:29-
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C212118202118232219252315202017192018202018
Feels °C (?)20211919201922202121219171615171818181817
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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 12 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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