Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, NNW swell with 395 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with NE 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. 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 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s call it like it is—this is a long flat spell with one solid shot that could get your blood pumping if you’re ready for it.
The first few days, starting Monday the 14th, are a bust. Tiny 1ft NNE slop with weak energy and glassy or light winds, but nothing rideable. Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th stay flat. Thursday the 17th kicks up a 3ft windswell from the NNW with a 5-second period and onshore winds—garbage.
Then Friday the 18th rolls in. That’s your one standout. A solid 8ft groundswell out of the N, period at 8 seconds, combined energy hits 733 (moderate to strong). That’s a proper swell, but over 8ft on sets—experts only. Offshore wind from the S at 15 mph keeps it clean at Whakatane Heads (New Zealand). This beach and reef spot faces NNE, so the swell lines in. The direction’s a good match. Expect crowds to build though—this spot gets them sometimes.
Friday afternoon drops to 5ft and stays clean with a cross-offshore breeze—still good for experienced surfers.
After that, Saturday the 19th through Tuesday the 29th is a big stretch of nothing. Tiny 1ft to 2ft stuff, poor quality, and weak energy. Water temp is 57°, about normal for the time of year.
Bottom line: Friday the 18th morning is the only real wave in this window. If you’re advanced, go get it. Otherwise, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Thu night, light winds from the WSW by Fri afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NNE 13 | NNE 12 | NW 4 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | N 8 | NNE 9 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | NW 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 23 | 22 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 119 | 395 | 191 | 101 | 62 | 32 | 48 | 126 | 128 | 121 | 29 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:06PM1.80m | 9:31AM1.81m | 9:51PM1.77m | 10:15AM1.77m | 10:33PM1.73m | 11:00AM1.72m | 11:14PM1.69m | 11:46AM1.69m | 11:55PM1.63m | 12:34PM1.65m | 00:39AM1.58m | 1:25PM1.62m | 1:29AM1.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:09PM0.25m | 3:35AM0.19m | 3:53PM0.28m | 4:18AM0.23m | 4:35PM0.34m | 4:59AM0.29m | 5:18PM0.42m | 5:39AM0.37m | 6:05PM0.50m | 6:21AM0.45m | 6:57PM0.56m | 7:07AM0.53m | 7:52PM0.61m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 10 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 11 | NE 11 | N 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | N 11 | NW 6 |
| kJ | 3 | 22 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 13 | 5 | 191 | 101 | 52 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 29 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | NNE 3 | — | NE 13 | NNE 13 | N 12 | N 12 | NNW 4 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | NE 11 | NNW 7 | — | N 8 | — | NE 9 | — | E 11 | E 11 |
| kJ | 23 | 1 | — | 7 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 30 | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 13 | N 13 | NE 13 | N 12 | N 12 | NE 10 | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | W 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 2 | 12 | 119 | 395 | 24 | 6 | 62 | 32 | 48 | 126 | 128 | 121 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 118 | 118 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Bay of Plenty | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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