Whakatane Heads surf break

Whakatane Heads surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Monday 06 Apr 2026 NZST
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
20.6° C
(Which is 1.4°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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 07) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s 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 16 days are 6.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 13) 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 1.1m 4s period and expected on Monday (Apr 13) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 7th Apr)5.5ft (1.7m) 8s
Best Surf 9AM (Sun 12th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 13th Apr)20ft (6.0m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 69mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
3
4
3
3
2
3
7
7
4
6
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
NE
1.7
NE
1.7
ENE
1.9
ENE
2.4
NE
2.5
NE
2.4
NNE
2.3
NNE
2
NNE
1.1
N
1.3
N
1.6
N
1.6
N
1.7
N
1.2
N
1.2
NNE
2.4
NE
4
NE
4
NE
4
NE
5.5
NNE
Period(s) (?)778877887141414141513131315141314
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)132261330403623677709604360496701104510121297521507197274446587488212434
Wind
(km/h)
10
ESE
20
NE
10
ESE
20
E
25
NE
30
NE
25
NE
20
NE
15
N
5
SE
10
NE
5
N
5
ESE
5
ENE
10
SSE
20
SE
20
ESE
20
SE
15
SE
20
ESE
30
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
onglasscross-
on
onglasscross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:34AM
1.69
9:59PM
1.73
10:13AM
1.66
10:41PM
1.71
10:53AM
1.62
11:24PM
1.68
11:33AM
1.59
12:11AM
1.65
12:17PM
1.57
1:02AM
1.62
1:06PM
1.56
1:57AM
1.62
2:01PM
1.56
2:52AM
1.64
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:59PM
0.29
4:21AM
0.41
4:36PM
0.36
5:02AM
0.47
5:15PM
0.43
5:47AM
0.53
5:56PM
0.50
6:37AM
0.58
6:42PM
0.54
7:30AM
0.60
7:35PM
0.56
8:23AM
0.60
8:32PM
0.56
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Sunrise6:30--6:30--6:31--6:31--6:33--6:33--6:35--
Sunset-5:58--5:57--5:54--5:53--5:52--5:51--5:49-
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
-----1293216115-1---111194
Temp. °C192017181919191920212119191917212120222120
Feels °C (?)161715151617171819212220202016181818212018
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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 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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