Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, NW swell with 169 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period with N 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. 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 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Mate, it’s Rusty. Gotta give it to ya straight – the Whakatane Heads are lookin’ pretty flat for the next week or so before we get any proper size. First few days are just tiny dribbles, so don’t rush to suit up.
Wednesday 9th September kicks off with a 2ft NNE swell, real short period at 7 seconds, and cross-off wind at 3 mph. Energy’s weak at 70 – you’ll be paddlin’ more than ridin’. Thursday and Friday drop to 1ft or so; Thursday mornin’ has a glassy look on a long 14-second groundswell from the NE, but at that height it’s a wader’s paradise, not a surfer’s.
The weekend through early next week – just junk. Saturday 12th to Monday 14th shows 0.7-1ft waves with clean but tiny conditions and energy as low as 21. Tuesday 15th bumps to 4ft NW windswell, but a 12 mph cross-shore wind chops it up.
Then finally, Wednesday 16th September brings some size. A 7ft NW swell, short 6 seconds, but combined energy jumps to 383 – solid push. Mornin’ is clean with cross-off wind at 12 mph. That’s expert-level size, and the short period means it’ll be fat and lumpy – only the reefs and points will sort it out.
The best window? Thursday 18th September mornin’. A 5ft NW swell with 203 energy, clean cross-off SW wind at 12 mph. Not perfect period – still short – but the cleanest, most consistent option for a proper session.
Later, the 20th September throws in a massive 10ft NW swell with 1250 energy, but cross-on wind and 16 mph gusts make it a maelstrom for experts only. By the 22nd it’s back to glassy 1ft nothin’.
Water temp’s average – no anomaly data here.
In short: hang tight, hit the 16th if you’re keen, or the 18th mornin’ for the best chance. Otherwise, it’s a dry spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 8 | N 7 | NNE 4 | NE 8 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 12 | NE 9 | NE 13 | NE 9 | NE 13 | NE 13 | WNW 6 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | W 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 60 | 48 | 26 | 18 | 29 | 47 | 24 | 31 | 44 | 27 | 44 | 27 | 31 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:17AM1.70m | 5:03PM1.86m | 5:20AM1.71m | 5:57PM1.90m | 6:18AM1.75m | 6:46PM1.90m | 7:12AM1.79m | 7:33PM1.87m | 8:01AM1.82m | 8:20PM1.83m | 8:46AM1.83m | 9:06PM1.80m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:25PM0.43m | 10:45AM0.30m | 11:27PM0.37m | 11:42AM0.28m | 00:24AM0.31m | 12:37PM0.26m | 1:17AM0.24m | 1:31PM0.25m | 2:06AM0.20m | 2:22PM0.24m | 2:52AM0.18m | 3:09PM0.25m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | N 7 | NNW 7 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NE 7 | NNW 5 | N 5 | NNW 6 | NE 9 | NE 13 | NW 5 | NE 13 | W 4 | NE 13 | NW 5 | NNE 12 | NE 3 | NNE 12 |
| kJ | 60 | 48 | 5 | 17 | 10 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 20 | 44 | 7 | 27 | 12 | 27 | 5 | 14 | 2 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NNE 15 | NNE 15 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 14 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 12 | ENE 8 | NE 13 | ENE 8 | NE 13 | NE 8 | NE 12 | E 9 | NNE 12 | N 13 |
| kJ | 23 | 22 | 22 | 15 | 12 | 47 | 16 | 31 | 26 | 23 | 7 | 27 | 7 | 26 | 3 | 24 | 2 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 16 | — | NE 8 | NNE 14 | NE 14 | ENE 8 | NE 12 | NNE 13 | NE 13 | NNE 13 | — | W 3 | N 16 | NE 8 | N 15 | N 14 | NW 4 | N 13 | E 8 |
| kJ | 10 | — | 3 | 18 | 29 | 7 | 24 | 17 | 44 | 16 | — | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | — | NNE 4 | — | WNW 3 | NW 3 | — | SSE 3 | — | W 4 | W 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | SW 3 | NW 3 | E 4 | NE 4 | NW 3 | W 4 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 26 | — | 2 | 5 | — | 2 | — | 27 | 48 | 21 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 21 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 119 | 54 | 61 | 54 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 22 | 47 | 0 | 47 | 153 | 81 | 119 | 118 | 53 |
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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