Whakatane Heads surf break

Whakatane Heads surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Tuesday 23 Dec 2025 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
20.2° C
(Which is 1.5°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 25) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 12 days are 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 26) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 30) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 25th Dec)4ft (1.2m) 7s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 25th Dec)4ft (1.2m) 7s
Most Powerful10PM (Fri 26th Dec)6.5ft (2.0m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun morning).

Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Mon
29
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
NNE
0.4
NNE
0.5
N
1.3
NNW
1.8
NNW
1.7
NNW
1.2
NNW
0.5
N
0.5
N
1
N
1.2
NNW
1.7
NNW
1.7
NNW
1.3
N
1.3
N
1.1
N
0.8
N
0.8
N
0.4
NNE
0.3
NNE
0.3
N
Period(s) (?)16151567771413776787767121113
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)85711091402732851249490971312372971931761075262462535
Wind
(km/h)
10
NW
15
NW
25
NW
20
WNW
25
NW
15
WNW
10
WSW
5
W
15
NNW
5
NW
10
N
15
N
20
W
10
NW
20
NNW
10
WSW
0
ENE
15
N
5
WNW
5
NE
15
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
crossoncross-
on
ononcrosscross-
on
oncross-
off
glassonglassglasson
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:01AM
1.80
10:08PM
1.73
10:42AM
1.80
10:46PM
1.72
11:26AM
1.80
11:27PM
1.70
12:09PM
1.81
12:11AM
1.68
12:51PM
1.81
1:02AM
1.67
1:36PM
1.81
1:58AM
1.69
2:23PM
1.82
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:51AM
0.40
4:22PM
0.48
4:32AM
0.37
5:05PM
0.46
5:13AM
0.35
5:50PM
0.44
5:54AM
0.34
6:36PM
0.41
6:38AM
0.37
7:23PM
0.37
7:26AM
0.42
8:10PM
0.34
8:21AM
0.47
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Mon
29
Sunrise-5:46--5:47--5:47--5:48--5:48--5:48--5:50-
Sunset--8:34--8:35--8:35--8:35--8:36--8:36--8:36
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
1---1------67-----1--
Temp. °C182325202022191920182120191920171919172021
Feels °C (?)182122191821181618192019181517151617181919
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 12 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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