Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 6s period, NW swell with 287 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 1.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Whakatane Heads. It’s a beach and reef set-up that’s exposed to the swell and really needs something from the NNE to get its best shape. The water temp is sitting around 57° which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no dramas there.
Honestly, the next week and a half are a write-off. We’re looking at a solid gap from now right through to the end of August with barely any surf worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, the wind is messy, and the energy is just not there. The recorded wave energy is as low as 2 (combined energy of all swells directed here) on some days, which is about as weak as it gets. You’d be wasting your time.
Things start to change around the very end of the forecast. Sunday the 30th of August shows a bit of life – a clean, light offshore breeze from the south with a small NE swell around 2ft to 2ft and a period of 10 seconds. The wave energy picks up to 99 then 138, which is still weak but at least it’s something. Conditions are clean, but it’s only surfable, not exciting.
Now, the standout window is Monday the 31st of August through to Wednesday the 3rd of September. This is where it gets good. Monday morning brings a solid offshore from the south with a NE groundswell around 3ft at 11 seconds and wave energy jumping to 248. That’s a proper increase. The wind is gentle and clean, so the lines will be nice. By Monday afternoon the swell jumps to 7ft from the north, but the period drops to 7 seconds and the wind freshens, so it’s a bit messy.
The best of the lot is Tuesday the 1st of September. Solid offshore winds from the south at 25 km/h, with a 7ft swell from the north at 9 seconds and wave energy pumping at 821. That’s strong energy and the wind is offshore and clean – the wave faces will be smooth and lined up. This is advanced territory at that size, so only for the experienced crew. The shape will be good for a beach and reef spot like this, especially with that north direction getting into the break nicely.
Wednesday the 2nd of September still holds clean offshore winds, but the swell drops to 4ft from the NNW and energy backs off to 358. Still good waves, just not as punchy. Thursday the 3rd of September has clean, gentle offshore winds but the swell fades further to 3ft from the north with a period of 7 seconds, so only ordinary.
So, to sum it up: the first week and a half are flat and not worth a look. The real action is from Monday the 31st of August through to Wednesday the 3rd of September, with Tuesday the 1st of September being the clear standout – big, clean, and offshore for the advanced crew. Get on it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | WNW 4 | E 6 | WNW 2 | W 3 | W 4 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 5 | N 14 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 74 | 131 | 287 | 107 | 42 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 25 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 12:22PM1.68m | 00:34AM1.69m | 1:12PM1.64m | 1:18AM1.63m | 2:05PM1.62m | 2:07AM1.58m | 3:01PM1.61m | 3:03AM1.55m | 4:00PM1.61m | 4:00AM1.56m | 4:55PM1.63m | 4:54AM1.60m | 5:42PM1.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:38PM0.48m | 7:04AM0.42m | 7:31PM0.55m | 7:51AM0.49m | 8:28PM0.61m | 8:45AM0.54m | 9:25PM0.63m | 9:44AM0.56m | 10:17PM0.62m | 10:39AM0.53m | 11:07PM0.58m | 11:28AM0.48m | 11:54PM0.52m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | WNW 4 | — | — | N 12 | N 15 | N 14 | N 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NNW 7 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NE 10 | NW 4 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 107 | 42 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 5 | E 6 | — | — | — | NE 11 | NE 11 | — | NE 10 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | N 13 | NE 10 | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | — | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | N 14 | — | N 13 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 4 | — | 3 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WNW 2 | W 3 | W 4 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | W 4 | SSW 3 | — | — | — | NW 4 | W 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 74 | 131 | 287 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | 14 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 25 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 121 | 90 | 118 | 119 | 118 | 118 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 0 | 14 | 133 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Bay of Plenty | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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