Whakatane Heads surf break

Whakatane Heads surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Thursday 02 Apr 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
20.7° C
(Which is 1.3°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 Friday (Apr 03) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 1.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 07) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 3rd Apr)1ft (0.3m) 15s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 6th Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 10s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 7th Apr)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 60mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sun night, fresh winds from the NE by Tue afternoon).

Thu
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.2
NNE
0.2
N
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.3
NNW
0.6
ENE
0.7
NE
0.9
NE
0.9
NE
0.8
ENE
1.1
NE
1.1
NE
1.2
NE
1.4
ENE
1.4
NE
2
NE
2.1
NE
1.1
ENE
1.4
N
1.1
ENE
0.9
ENE
Period(s) (?)101658159991091010101011671181110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)102071742497911813796225243292409485273360265241256180
Wind
(km/h)
10
N
10
S
5
SSE
10
N
5
S
5
SSE
5
NNE
0
NNE
5
E
15
NE
10
E
10
ESE
25
NE
10
E
25
NE
30
NE
25
NE
20
NE
15
NE
10
NE
5
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
onoffglassonoffglassonglasscrosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:15PM
1.75
8:29AM
1.73
8:58PM
1.77
9:12AM
1.72
9:39PM
1.77
9:53AM
1.71
10:19PM
1.75
10:34AM
1.69
10:59PM
1.73
11:13AM
1.66
11:41PM
1.71
11:53AM
1.62
12:24AM
1.68
12:33PM
1.59
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:34AM
0.30
3:02PM
0.22
3:19AM
0.29
3:43PM
0.22
4:01AM
0.31
4:22PM
0.24
4:41AM
0.35
4:59PM
0.29
5:21AM
0.41
5:36PM
0.36
6:02AM
0.47
6:15PM
0.43
6:47AM
0.53
Thu
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Sunrise--7:26--7:26--7:28--7:28--7:30--7:31--7:31
Sunset7:05--7:02--7:01--7:00--6:59--6:57--6:55--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
Rain (mm)
------------1133421024-
Temp. °C171516161517171718191719191818181819191920
Feels °C (?)141414141616161816171616161614141519191922
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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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