Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 6s period, NW swell with 275 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whakatane Heads this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 16 days are 1.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, lookin' at what's cookin' for Whakatane Heads. Gotta be straight with ya, the next week and a half is lookin' flat as a pancake. We're talkin' a solid 13-day stretch of zilch, nothin' worth paddlin' out for. The ocean is basically takin' a nap. But hold on, because the end of the run is where it gets interesting.
First up, on Monday the 31st of August, the morning shows a little pulse of life. We're talkin' a tiny 3-foot swell from the north, but the energy is weak (79). The wind is a light cross-offshore, so it'll be clean. Honestly, it's just "surfable" but very ordinary. You'd be desperate for a splash.
The real standout, the one you should be pencilin' in, is Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning session is where it's at. A solid 11.5-foot swell from the NNW, with a period of 9 seconds, is pumpin' in. The combined energy is a massive 2285, so there's real power behind it. But here's the kicker—the wind is glassy, dead calm. For a spot that's exposed to the swell and needs that offshore from the south, gettin' glassy conditions is a gift. This is a big swell though, over 8 feet, so this is strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, stay on the beach.
The rest of that day and into Wednesday the 2nd of September, we're still seein' some decent swell. Tuesday afternoon the swell is 8.2 feet from the north, but with a light onshore wind, it's not as clean. Then Wednesday morning brings a 6.2-foot north swell with glassy conditions again, and the energy is still strong (548). The water temp is about 57.4°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, just a touch on the cool side.
So, mark your calendar for that Tuesday morning. The wait is long, but the payoff looks like it could be a special session. Keep your eyes on the forecast, 'cause things can change, but for now, that's the window.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 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) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 10 | N 10 | N 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | NW 3 | E 5 | WNW 3 | W 4 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 4 | NW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 43 | 74 | 275 | 198 | 52 | 34 | 16 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:45AM1.78m | 11:08PM1.80m | 11:33AM1.73m | 11:51PM1.75m | 12:22PM1.68m | 00:34AM1.69m | 1:12PM1.64m | 1:18AM1.63m | 2:05PM1.62m | 2:07AM1.58m | 3:01PM1.61m | 3:03AM1.55m | 4:00PM1.61m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:05PM0.32m | 5:35AM0.28m | 5:50PM0.40m | 6:19AM0.34m | 6:38PM0.48m | 7:04AM0.42m | 7:31PM0.55m | 7:51AM0.49m | 8:28PM0.61m | 8:45AM0.54m | 9:25PM0.63m | 9:44AM0.56m | 10:17PM0.62m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | N 10 | SW 4 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | NW 3 | E 5 | E 8 | N 12 | NW 4 | N 14 | N 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NNW 6 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NW 5 |
| kJ | 8 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 52 | 5 | 5 | 21 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 10 | NE 10 | E 9 | N 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 5 | — | — | — | N 15 | N 11 | NE 11 | — | NE 10 | N 12 | NE 12 | NE 9 | NE 11 |
| kJ | — | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 5 | — | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | — | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 10 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 4 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 3 | S 3 | — | — | SSW 2 | WNW 3 | W 4 | — | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 7 | W 4 | WNW 6 | NW 4 | WSW 3 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 6 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 6 | — | 43 | 74 | 275 | 198 | 10 | 34 | 16 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 228 | 121 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 81 | 90 | 118 | 118 | 119 | 118 | 118 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 5 | 119 | 119 | 119 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Bay of Plenty | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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