Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, NW swell with 522 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period with NW 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 17s. 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 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next 16 days at Whakatane Heads (New Zealand) are a tough watch. We’ve got a long, dry spell of no surf at the start. From Monday the 27th of July right through to Thursday the 31st of July, it’s all tiny, gutless waves with poor conditions. You’d be wasting your time. There’s a bit of a pulse late in the first week, but it comes with messy wind.
Friday the 31st of July sees the biggest swell of the period, but it’s ugly. Morning sees a 7ft swell from the NNW with a short 7-second period and 12 mph cross-shore wind. That’s moderate energy but it’s choppy and lumpy. Afternoon is even scrappier – 8ft from the NW, 16 mph winds. The water is sitting at 56°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so bring the thick rubber. This is expert-only territory if you’re even thinking about it, and I wouldn’t bother – the onshore wind will wreck it.
Saturday the 1st of August morning is the only real highlight. The swell drops right back to 3ft from the NW, but it’s glassy – 3 mph from the south, dead calm. The waves will be clean and friendly. It’s a rare window worth getting up early for. Crowds are possible here, and it’s a fairly consistent spot, so you won’t be alone.
After that, we’re back into a long flat spell. From Saturday afternoon right through to Friday the 7th of August, it’s all 0.3ft to 0.7ft dribble. There’s a tiny injection on Saturday the 8th of August morning – 5ft from the NNW at 7 seconds – but it’s cross-shore wind, so it’s marginal and not worth the drive. Sunday the 9th of August sees 7ft from the N with 12 mph cross-onshore winds, but again, it’s choppy and poor.
There’s one last flicker on Tuesday the 11th of August afternoon. A 4ft swell from the NNE at 8 seconds, and the wind swings WSW at 6 mph, going cross-offshore. That’s clean, surfable, and the only proper option in the second week. It’s still a bit messy, but for this forecast, it’s the best you’ll get.
Overall, we’ve got about 8 days with absolutely nothing to ride, and the few days that have size come with poor wind. Saturday morning and the 11th afternoon are your windows, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Thu night, calm by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 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) | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | N 11 | N 10 | E 17 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | E 12 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNE 17 | NNE 16 | NNE 16 | NNE 15 | NNE 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 12 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 107 | 412 | 522 | 223 | 63 | 30 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | on | off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 5:31PM1.69m | 5:28AM1.63m | 6:16PM1.72m | 6:16AM1.66m | 6:57PM1.74m | 7:00AM1.69m | 7:36PM1.77m | 7:41AM1.71m | 8:13PM1.79m | 8:20AM1.71m | 8:52PM1.80m | 9:00AM1.71m | 9:31PM1.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:17AM0.50m | 11:43PM0.60m | 12:03PM0.47m | 00:29AM0.56m | 12:45PM0.43m | 1:13AM0.50m | 1:26PM0.37m | 1:55AM0.44m | 2:05PM0.32m | 2:37AM0.38m | 2:45PM0.28m | 3:19AM0.32m | 3:25PM0.26m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  | | | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 13 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 8 |
Feels °C | 5 | 9 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | N 6 | N 10 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | NNW 3 | E 14 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 18 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNE 16 | NNE 15 | NNE 15 |
| kJ | 12 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 223 | 63 | 20 | 4 | 25 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 17 | — | — | N 11 | — | E 17 | N 10 | N 9 | — | — | E 5 | NE 11 | NE 18 | E 13 | NE 18 | NE 17 | NNE 17 | NNE 16 | N 5 | N 5 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 6 | — | — | 2 | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 13 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 30 | 25 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 10 | — | — | — | N 9 | E 12 | NE 11 | N 19 | NE 18 | — | E 13 | NE 11 | — | N 6 | — | NE 10 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 13 | — | 3 | 4 | — | 1 | — | 4 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | — | SSE 3 | S 3 | — | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | W 5 | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 |
| kJ | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 32 | 107 | 412 | 522 | 53 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 76 | 61 | 119 | 61 | 61 | 119 | 119 | 103 | 123 | 5 | 0 | 47 | 174 | 81 | 268 | 204 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Bay of Plenty | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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