Whakatane Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.94° S 177.00° E

Whakatane Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 14 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whakatane Heads sea temperature is
15.4° C
0.2° 

Whakatane Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, NNW swell with 90 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period with NNW 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s 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 16 days are 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Tue 14th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 6s
Best Surf 6PM (Tue 14th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 6s
Most Powerful 3PM (Tue 14th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 6s

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


The Lowdown

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

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
NNW
6
1.2
NNW
6
0.9
NNW
6
0.6
N
6
0.5
N
5
0.2
NNW
5
0.2
NNW
5
0.1
NE
10
0.5
NNW
5
0.6
NW
5
0.4
NW
6
0.2
NNW
5
0.1
NE
9
0.4
WNW
4
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
77
90
52
22
14
4
4
4
13
18
8
3
3
4
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
5
WNW
5
SSW
10
SSW
5
WNW
10
SW
5
W
10
NW
15
WSW
10
SW
5
N
5
ESE
10
SW
15
NW
10
SSW
10
S
15
S
20
SSE
20
SE
20
SE
15
SE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
6:39PM2.07m
6:51AM1.95m
7:31PM2.13m
7:46AM1.96m
8:21PM2.14m
8:39AM1.95m
9:11PM2.10m
9:30AM1.92m
10:02PM2.02m
10:22AM1.87m
10:52PM1.94m
11:14AM1.82m
11:41PM1.87m
Low Tide
12:23PM0.27m
00:59AM0.42m
1:17PM0.22m
1:57AM0.38m
2:09PM0.19m
2:51AM0.34m
3:01PM0.21m
3:42AM0.30m
3:53PM0.24m
4:33AM0.28m
4:44PM0.30m
5:22AM0.28m
5:34PM0.36m
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:10
5:10
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
 mm
3
1
Temp °C
14
14
13
12
14
14
13
15
13
12
15
12
11
15
10
12
12
11
11
12
11
Feels °C
12
13
12
10
13
12
11
12
10
10
13
10
8
11
7
7
9
6
5
7
7
  • 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 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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