Whakatane Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the Whakatane Heads region. The next week and a half is a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a couple of windows that are worth circling on the calendar. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The first few days are a write-off, to be honest. Starting Sunday the 19th, we’ve got tiny, gutless waves—0.3ft to 1ft—with no energy behind them. The combined swell energy is barely a whisper (4 to 8), so don’t even bother paddling out. That flat spell drags on through Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, all with the same story: ankle-biters and no push. There’s a bit of a glass-off on Sunday afternoon, but with nothing to ride, it’s just a pretty view.

Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th are still poor. Friday afternoon sees a bump to 4ft from the NNW, but it’s a short-period 6 seconds, messy, and the wind is howling cross-onshore at 19 mph. The combined energy climbs to 117 (moderate), but the quality is rubbish. Saturday the 25th is a bit cleaner with a cross-shore wind, but the swell is still weak and inconsistent.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 27th morning is the first real standout. Whakatane Heads (New Zealand) should see a solid 7ft groundswell from the NNW, with a period of 8 seconds. The wind is light and cross-off from the WSW, which should keep it clean. The combined swell energy is a solid 666 (strong) – that’s proper power. This is for advanced surfers only, as it’s pushing the 8ft mark. The direction is a bit off the optimum (NNE), but it’s still a good window. The afternoon gets messy with a cross-shore wind, so get on it early.

Tuesday the 28th is a big one, but it’s a beast. We’re looking at 10ft from the NW, with a 9-second period. The energy is massive (1423 in the afternoon). However, the wind is howling cross-shore and cross-onshore at 19 mph, making it choppy and dangerous. This is expert-only, and honestly, the conditions don’t look great for a paddle. For a beach-and-reef setup with that much power and wind, you might be better off with a kite.

The following week, Sunday the 2nd of August is the other big one to look at. The morning session is looking excellent. We’ve got a 10ft swell from the NW, with a 9-second period, and the wind is cross-off and light (3 mph). The combined energy is a massive 1634 (very strong), and the forecast is for excellent surf for experienced surfers. That’s the one to get excited about, but it’s over a week away, so keep an eye on it. The afternoon gets a bit onshore, so again, the early bird gets the worm.

Overall, the first week is a dud. The real action is Monday the 27th morning and Sunday the 2nd of August morning. The latter is the pick of the bunch, but it’s a long-range call. For the rest of the time, there’s a lot of chop and onshore wind, so pick your moments.

Rusty.

Read more