Whakatane Heads surf break

Whakatane Heads surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Friday 09 Jan 2026 NZDT
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
21.2° C
(Which is 1.7°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 09) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 12 days are 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 13) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 10) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 9th Jan)4.5ft (1.3m) 5s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 9th Jan)4.5ft (1.3m) 5s
Most Powerful 4PM (Tue 13th Jan)5ft (1.5m) 6s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
N
1
WNW
0.9
W
0.3
N
0.9
WNW
0.3
N
0.3
NNE
0.3
NNE
0.9
NNW
0.9
NW
0.3
NNE
0.3
NNE
0.9
ENE
1.5
NE
0.4
NNE
0.4
NNE
0.4
NNE
0.4
NNE
0.3
NNW
0.5
NE
0.6
NNE
Period(s) (?)1345124121414551314561312121212118
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2935372629254040423235405114369444757265742
Wind
(km/h)
10
W
15
W
15
WSW
15
W
20
WNW
10
WSW
5
WNW
20
N
10
WNW
20
NW
25
NW
10
ESE
5
ESE
15
NE
15
NNE
5
WNW
15
N
5
ESE
5
E
10
NE
5
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
oncrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
onglassonglassglasscross-
on
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:16PM
1.90
12:36AM
1.77
1:04PM
1.84
1:28AM
1.72
1:49PM
1.78
2:19AM
1.67
2:35PM
1.73
3:10AM
1.65
3:20PM
1.68
4:03AM
1.64
4:08PM
1.64
5:00AM
1.65
4:59PM
1.62
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:46PM
0.34
6:55AM
0.41
7:34PM
0.36
7:44AM
0.47
8:20PM
0.40
8:35AM
0.52
9:07PM
0.45
9:29AM
0.58
9:57PM
0.49
10:24AM
0.62
10:49PM
0.51
11:17AM
0.64
11:42PM
0.52
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Sunrise5:58--6:00--6:01--6:01--6:03--6:03--6:05--
Sunset-8:37--8:37--8:37--8:37--8:36--8:36--8:36-
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
Rain (mm)
--------------4---112
Temp. °C273023273224232623252720181920212220212220
Feels °C (?)252822242822212423222420181819232222222221
  • 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 12 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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