Whakatane Heads surf break

Whakatane Heads surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Friday 10 Apr 2026 NZST
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 1.1°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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 10) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 16 days are 9.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 12) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 16) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Fri 10th Apr)6ft (1.8m) 14s
Best Surf 6AM (Sun 12th Apr)18ft (5.5m) 14s
Most Powerful12PM (Sun 12th Apr)30ft (9.0m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 53mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, gales from the NE by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
4
5
7
!
!
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.9
N
1.8
NNE
2.5
NNE
3
NE
4
NE
4.5
NNE
7
NE
8.5
NNE
4
N
1.9
N
1.6
N
1.8
N
1.5
NNW
1.5
NNW
1.4
NNW
1.5
NNW
1.3
NNW
0.9
NNW
1.4
WNW
1.6
NW
1.2
NW
Period(s) (?)151413131314141311997777788567
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1526130720213543501278741844923813411263240232921721018023120498110161127
Wind
(km/h)
5
SE
5
NE
20
SSE
20
SE
15
ESE
20
ESE
55
ENE
60
NNE
30
WNW
15
NW
20
N
10
WNW
15
WNW
20
NW
15
NW
25
WNW
25
W
15
W
20
WNW
25
WNW
15
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glassglasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossoncross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:17PM
1.57
1:02AM
1.62
1:06PM
1.56
1:57AM
1.62
2:01PM
1.56
2:52AM
1.64
2:58PM
1.58
3:44AM
1.69
3:53PM
1.62
4:33AM
1.75
4:48PM
1.67
5:19AM
1.81
5:42PM
1.74
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:42PM
0.54
7:30AM
0.60
7:35PM
0.56
8:23AM
0.60
8:32PM
0.56
9:14AM
0.57
9:28PM
0.52
10:06AM
0.51
10:20PM
0.48
10:58AM
0.43
11:11PM
0.44
11:49AM
0.35
12:03AM
0.40
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Sunrise6:33--6:33--6:35--6:35--6:37--6:37--6:39--
Sunset-5:52--5:51--5:49--5:47--5:45--5:45--5:44-
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-1---21733---4-32231--2-
Temp. °C202118212121212119201919191916151616181916
Feels °C (?)212216201920131315191716171714101112141513
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 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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