Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, NNE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period, NE swell with 93 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period with NNE 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. 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 0.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Whakatane Heads is looking flat for the next 16 days – no real surf to speak of. Water temp is 59°, pretty normal for the season. The first tiny wave that's even worth mentioning comes on Friday, July 24, with a 2ft NE swell, 9-second period, and energy of 84 (moderate). Morning glass will keep it clean, but it's barely a ripple. The best of a weak bunch is Saturday, July 25, with a 3ft NNW swell in the morning, 6-second period, energy 104, and clean cross-off wind. Still short-period and weak. After that, it's small pulses of 1ft NE swell with long periods (18 seconds) on July 31 and August 1-2 – clean offshore or glassy, but the waves are tiny. For an advanced, fairly consistent break like Whakatane Heads, this is a quiet spell. The optimum swell direction is NNE, and we're not getting that. Nothing to paddle out for. Flat spells happen, but it's a bummer. Keep an eye on the forecast, but for now, stay dry.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 9 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | N 9 | N 8 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | ENE 4 | N 9 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 17 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 19 | 10 | 18 | 35 | 91 | 61 | 35 | 43 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | on | off | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 9:30AM1.92m | 10:02PM2.02m | 10:22AM1.87m | 10:52PM1.94m | 11:14AM1.82m | 11:41PM1.87m | 12:07PM1.76m | 00:29AM1.80m | 12:59PM1.70m | 1:15AM1.75m | 1:51PM1.67m | 2:01AM1.70m | 2:44PM1.65m | 2:50AM1.65m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:53PM0.24m | 4:33AM0.28m | 4:44PM0.30m | 5:22AM0.28m | 5:34PM0.36m | 6:10AM0.31m | 6:23PM0.42m | 6:58AM0.36m | 7:14PM0.48m | 7:46AM0.41m | 8:09PM0.54m | 8:37AM0.46m | 9:05PM0.59m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — |
 | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 12 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 9 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | N 8 | — | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | E 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 19 | 10 | 18 | 22 | 91 | 61 | 35 | 43 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | — | — | N 8 | N 10 | E 6 | — | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 35 | — | 23 | 24 | 29 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | — | N 10 | E 6 | N 9 | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — | — | — | NE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | WNW 4 | W 4 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | — | SSE 3 | — | SE 3 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 |
| kJ | 3 | 17 | 14 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 90 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 81 | 119 | 0 | 0 | 119 | 69 |
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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