
Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NNW swell with 816 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s 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 10) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 8s 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about the Whakatane Heads stretch for the next two weeks.
The first few days are a bit of a dud. Saturday the 8th is a no-go: a tiny 0.7ft swell with a cross-onshore breeze, just a mess. Sunday the 9th builds to a messy 6ft in the afternoon, but it's blown out by a moderate cross-onshore. The energy is moderate (230) but the wind ruins it.
Monday morning the 10th finally cleans up. We’ve got a cross-offshore breeze and a 5ft groundswell from the NNW. The energy is moderate (373) and the water is a bit colder than usual for this time of year at 56°. It’s not perfect, but it’s the first real chance to get wet. The afternoon gets sloppy again.
Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th are small and weak—mostly 3ft to 4ft of poor, short-period junk. Not worth it.
Now, the real highlight of the first week: Friday morning the 14th. We’ve got glassy conditions, a 5ft swell from the NNW, and a solid combined energy of 486. It’s a groundswell with a 7-second period, so it’ll have some shape, but it’s a bit short for a perfect point. The morning is glassy, the afternoon is glassy. This is the best window. The swell is 5ft, so it’s a solid intermediate size, nothing too heavy.
After that, it goes flat. From Saturday the 15th all the way through the 22nd, we’re looking at tiny, weak surf. Swell heights are below 2ft for days, and the energy readings are in the double digits (29 to 98). It’s a long, flat spell. Kite surfers might get a kick, but for paddle surfing, it’s a bust.
But hold onto your wetsuit, because the forecast has a big one. Sunday morning the 23rd is the real standout. We’re looking at 7ft of long-period swell from the N at 13 seconds, with a massive combined energy of 1271. That’s a powerful groundswell. The wind is a light offshore from the south, meaning clean, open faces. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. It’s over 7ft, so it’s expert territory. The long period (13 seconds) means lots of energy and longer lulls. The Sunday afternoon picks up to 7ft, but the wind goes onshore, so the morning is the time.
The crowds at Whakatane Heads can pop up sometimes, so don’t expect to be alone on that Sunday morning, but for a clean, powerful groundswell like that, it’s worth it.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 12 | N 12 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 11 | 24 | 223 | 703 | 367 | 235 | 155 | 114 | 89 | 65 | 84 | 129 | 186 | 175 | 121 | 135 | 204 | 191 | 95 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:20AM1.76m | 3:06PM1.77m | 3:26AM1.78m | 4:18PM1.84m | 4:32AM1.80m | 5:24PM1.93m | 5:35AM1.82m | 6:19PM2.01m | 6:33AM1.84m | 7:10PM2.04m | 7:29AM1.86m | 7:58PM2.03m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:31PM0.48m | 8:57AM0.37m | 9:36PM0.49m | 10:02AM0.35m | 10:41PM0.47m | 11:05AM0.30m | 11:43PM0.43m | 12:02PM0.25m | 00:43AM0.37m | 12:55PM0.21m | 1:38AM0.30m | 1:49PM0.21m | 2:30AM0.25m | |||||||
— | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 9 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | NW 3 | N 12 | NE 13 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 12 | N 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 |
12 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 703 | 367 | 235 | 155 | 114 | 89 | 65 | 84 | 129 | 3 | 3 | 121 | 135 | 153 | 191 | 93 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 14 | N 12 | NE 13 | — | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | N 14 | N 13 | NE 10 | N 12 | E 10 | — | NNE 11 | NE 10 | NNE 7 | NE 10 | NE 8 |
7 | 11 | 7 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | 12 | 28 | 127 | 27 | 95 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | NE 13 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | N 15 | N 14 | NE 11 | NE 11 | N 13 | NE 10 | — | — | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | NE 9 | — |
2 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 2 | — | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | — | — | — | SSW 2 | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | — | ENE 6 | NNW 7 | — | W 4 |
1 | — | 24 | 223 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 16 | — | — | 186 | 175 | — | 7 | 204 | — | 20 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 121 | 118 | 119 | 119 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 5 | 47 | 0 | 43 | 125 | 119 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











