Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 7 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, N swell with 637 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s 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 07) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. 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 2.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's have a look at what’s coming down the line for Whakatane Heads.
First up, it’s pretty quiet right now. We’ve got a few days of barely anything on the cards, with only tiny, weak leftovers. You’re looking at a real slow patch from Tuesday morning through to the end of the weekend, with hardly a wave worth paddling for. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird going on there.
The first real glimmer of hope shows up on Wednesday, July 8th. The morning is looking like the standout window for the entire run. We’re expecting a solid 6ft of swell pushing in from the north, with a 9-second period, giving it moderate energy (522). The wind is light and offshore from the south, so it should be clean and lined up. That’s advanced-level territory, but for anyone with the skills, that’s the session to aim for. The afternoon hangs in there too with 5ft from the north and a light cross-off breeze, but the morning is the real deal.
After that, things drop off fast. The morning on Thursday, July 9th, still has a knee-high, weak 3ft wave from the NNE, but the energy is low (90) and conditions are just ordinary. Then it’s a long, flat spell. From Friday, July 10th, all the way through to Tuesday, July 22nd, the surf is tiny, mostly below 1ft, and not worth mentioning. There's a couple of mornings with glassy or offshore wind, but absolutely no swell to work with.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting, but you’ve got to wait for it. On Wednesday, July 22nd, the morning shows a big pulse of swell. We’re talking a solid 16ft from the north, with an 11-second period. The energy is massive (6171). This is an expert-only window, no question. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore from the NE, so it’ll be a bit lumpy. That’s a long way out, so don’t bank on it, but it’s something to keep an eye on. For this spot, being a beach and reef setup, a big north swell with that period could get a bit straight, so you’d want to know the bank.
So, to sum it up: Wednesday morning, July 8th, is your first real call – clean, solid, and offshore. After that, it’s flat for nearly two weeks, then a big, distant possibility on July 22nd for the experts only.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu night, min 6°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Mon 13 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 7 | E 9 | N 11 | E 9 | N 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 306 | 201 | 250 | 609 | 505 | 390 | 165 | 83 | 59 | 27 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:25PM1.78m | 11:35AM1.66m | 00:07AM1.78m | 12:27PM1.67m | 00:52AM1.77m | 1:22PM1.70m | 1:42AM1.78m | 2:19PM1.75m | 2:41AM1.80m | 3:22PM1.80m | 3:46AM1.83m | 4:32PM1.87m | 4:51AM1.88m | 5:40PM1.97m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:56AM0.36m | 5:59PM0.42m | 6:41AM0.35m | 6:50PM0.48m | 7:28AM0.35m | 7:47PM0.52m | 8:20AM0.38m | 8:49PM0.53m | 9:19AM0.40m | 9:53PM0.52m | 10:23AM0.39m | 10:57PM0.50m | 11:26AM0.34m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — |
 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 |
mm | 8 | 1 | 10 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | E 9 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | NE 12 |
| kJ | 306 | 201 | 250 | 609 | 505 | 390 | 165 | 83 | 59 | 27 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | — | E 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NE 12 | E 5 |
| kJ | 169 | 160 | — | 12 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | N 7 | N 14 | N 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | N 11 | — | N 11 | N 11 | E 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 8 | SE 3 | SSE 3 | — | SW 2 | SSE 2 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 3 | S 3 | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 145 | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 43 | 125 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 61 | 80 | 62 | 90 | 61 | 90 | 76 | 90 | 121 | 90 | 90 | 119 |
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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