Whakatane Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.94° S 177.00° E

Whakatane Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 21 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whakatane Heads sea temperature is
14.5°C
0.5° 

Whakatane Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 21 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 28 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 27 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NW swell with 567 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 28 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with NW 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 (Sep 28) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 27) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 27) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 28th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 28th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sun 27th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 8s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the NW by Sun morning).

Mon
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
4
0.7
W
4
0.6
W
4
0.9
WNW
4
0.6
NW
6
0.2
NNW
7
0.3
WNW
3
0.1
NE
11
0.1
NE
10
0.1
NE
10
0.4
NW
3
0.1
NE
10
0.1
NE
9
0.1
N
11
0.1
NE
9
0.9
NW
6
1.3
WNW
6
2
NW
8
1.9
NW
8
0.9
NW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
25
14
11
29
25
4
2
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
44
126
432
475
107
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
15
WSW
10
WSW
25
WNW
15
SSW
10
SW
10
ESE
10
SSW
10
S
10
N
10
SSE
5
SW
15
NNW
10
S
10
W
15
WNW
15
WNW
40
NW
30
W
15
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
2:25AM1.53m
3:18PM1.59m
3:22AM1.55m
4:13PM1.62m
4:15AM1.58m
5:01PM1.67m
5:06AM1.62m
5:43PM1.72m
5:54AM1.67m
6:22PM1.77m
6:42AM1.71m
7:03PM1.80m
Low Tide
8:47PM0.62m
8:59AM0.58m
9:38PM0.60m
9:57AM0.55m
10:28PM0.56m
10:46AM0.49m
11:17PM0.49m
11:31AM0.42m
00:05AM0.40m
12:16PM0.37m
00:51AM0.31m
1:02PM0.33m
1:36AM0.24m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:00
5:58
5:56
5:56
6:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:10
7:12
 mm
2
1
7
1
Temp °C
17
11
18
21
11
14
13
8
12
13
10
12
13
11
12
13
13
14
12
8
Feels °C
14
7
14
16
6
12
10
4
9
8
7
8
11
8
8
10
10
7
5
2
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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