Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, N swell with 398 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period with NE 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 (Sep 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m 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 16 days are 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what the Bay of Plenty's got cookin' for us over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, for the first week or so, it’s a bit of a flat spell. We’re looking at a lot of tiny, weak swell with barely any energy behind it. The water temp’s about average for this time of year, nothing wild. The first sign of anything worth paddling out for doesn't pop up until Friday the 18th, and even then, it's a bit of a mixed bag.
Friday the 18th morning is where it finally starts to get interesting. Whakatane Heads is seeing a pulse of 6ft swell from the north, with a short period of 7 seconds, but the wind is a clean cross-off from the southeast. The combined energy is moderate at 315. It’s a bit of a lumpy, raw swell, but with that offshore wind, it’ll be clean and lined up. This is your best bet for the whole run, but it’s definitely one for the experienced crew – that 6ft at a beach and reef setup with that kind of punch is not for beginners.
Saturday the 19th morning is another one to keep an eye on. The swell drops a touch to 5ft from the north-northeast, still with a short period of 8 seconds, but the wind goes glassy. That means it’ll be dead smooth. The energy is still moderate at 288. It’s a solid, clean option for the more advanced surfer.
After that, it fades pretty quick. Sunday the 20th has a small, ordinary window in the afternoon with a clean 3ft swell from the northeast but onshore winds. Monday the 21st morning is glassy but only 3ft. After that, it’s back to tiny dribble for the rest of the second week. The energy drops right off, and there’s just nothing to get excited about. A long, quiet run for this area.
Signing off, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 12 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 13 | N 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNW 5 | N 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 30 | 43 | 44 | 44 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 12 | 17 | 12 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 75 | 282 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 7:12AM1.79m | 7:33PM1.87m | 8:01AM1.82m | 8:20PM1.83m | 8:46AM1.83m | 9:06PM1.80m | 9:31AM1.81m | 9:51PM1.77m | 10:15AM1.77m | 10:33PM1.73m | 11:00AM1.72m | 11:14PM1.69m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:17AM0.24m | 1:31PM0.25m | 2:06AM0.20m | 2:22PM0.24m | 2:52AM0.18m | 3:09PM0.25m | 3:35AM0.19m | 3:53PM0.28m | 4:18AM0.23m | 4:35PM0.34m | 4:59AM0.29m | 5:18PM0.42m | |||||||
 |  | |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 7 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NW 4 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 4 | NNE 13 | NNE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NE 11 | N 7 |
| kJ | 9 | 43 | 44 | 44 | 26 | 26 | 4 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 1 | 17 | 12 | 24 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 20 | 282 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 12 | NW 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 12 | N 14 | N 13 | N 13 | NNE 11 | NE 11 | NE 13 | ENE 5 | — | NE 12 | NE 12 | N 11 | NNE 11 |
| kJ | 30 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 24 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 2 | — | 22 | 22 | 2 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NE 8 | N 11 | N 16 | N 15 | N 15 | N 14 | — | — | E 8 | NE 13 | — | N 12 | N 12 | NE 10 | N 11 | N 11 | — | — |
| kJ | 20 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 16 | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | 11 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | WSW 4 | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 3 | NE 2 | NE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | — | — | WSW 2 | WNW 4 | W 4 | — | NNW 5 | — |
| kJ | 21 | 21 | 6 | 20 | 27 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 14 | 6 | — | — | — | 1 | 11 | 6 | — | 75 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 5 | 81 | 110 | 47 | 331 | 119 | 119 | 81 | 81 | 119 | 145 | 61 | 119 | 119 | 123 | 119 | 119 | 0 |
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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