Whakatane Heads surf break

Whakatane Heads surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Sunday 12 Apr 2026 NZST
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
19.9° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

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 Tuesday (Apr 14) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 19) 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 Wednesday (Apr 15) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Tue 14th Apr)4ft (1.2m) 7s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 14th Apr)4ft (1.2m) 7s
Most Powerful12AM (Sun 19th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sun night, calm by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Sat morning).

Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sun
19
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
4
N
1.5
NNW
1.5
N
1.2
N
1.2
N
1
NNW
1.2
NW
1.3
NW
1.3
NW
1.2
WNW
1.2
NW
1.1
NW
0.8
NNW
0.5
NW
0.4
NW
1.1
NNW
1.9
NNW
2.4
NNW
3
NNW
2.1
N
1.8
N
Period(s) (?)1288776677656666567888
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)42322863191551347510514316990829351189572895901271616418
Wind
(km/h)
25
WNW
15
NW
15
NNW
10
W
10
W
15
NW
15
W
15
WSW
20
W
15
W
20
WNW
20
W
10
SW
5
NE
15
NNW
15
NW
30
NNW
30
NNW
30
N
15
WNW
15
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncrosscrosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
glassoncross-
on
cross-
on
ononcrosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:52AM
1.64
2:58PM
1.58
3:44AM
1.69
3:53PM
1.62
4:33AM
1.75
4:48PM
1.67
5:19AM
1.81
5:42PM
1.74
6:05AM
1.85
6:35PM
1.83
6:54AM
1.88
7:26PM
1.91
7:47AM
1.89
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:14AM
0.57
9:28PM
0.52
10:06AM
0.51
10:20PM
0.48
10:58AM
0.43
11:11PM
0.44
11:49AM
0.35
12:03AM
0.40
12:40PM
0.27
12:57AM
0.35
1:29PM
0.22
1:52AM
0.31
2:18PM
0.19
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sun
19
Sunrise-6:35--6:37--6:37--6:39--6:39--6:39--6:41-
Sunset--5:47--5:45--5:45--5:44--5:42--5:40--5:39
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
Rain (mm)
--32-33--------5652912
Temp. °C191920171818151819142021141617181818171717
Feels °C (?)151819171616131415111617111415161514131314
  • 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 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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