Surf Forecasts:
Whakatane Heads surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, N swell with 1,238 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period with N 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let's have a good look at what's on the cards for Whakatane Heads.
Right off the bat, the first week and a half is a tough one. We've got a calm start with some tiny, long-period NE swells, but the water is sitting at 55.9°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. The real issue is that the wind is just never on our side, so we're looking at a lot of poor conditions. The first real sign of life doesn't show up until the morning of Monday the 11th of August. We'll see a jump in size to a solid 8.2ft from the north, but it's coming with a onshore wind and heavy rain. That’s a messy, confused lineup for all but the most experienced, and the wave energy is starting to build, hitting 1087 (moderate to strong). The Tuesday morning of the 12th of August is a bit of a tease. The swell drops slightly to 6.9ft from the north, but the wind goes glassy, with a light offshore from the SSW. That’s the kind of clean, windless surface that gets the heart pumping, but the period is a short 9 seconds, so the shape won't be world-class. It’s the closet thing to a standout in the first half of the forecast, but still a bit of a handful for most.
The rest of that week and into the next stays pretty average. The wind is mostly onshore or on an angle, and the swell energy stays moderate. It’s not until the morning of Thursday the 21st of August that we finally get a proper window. The south-east wind is blowing cleanly offshore, and we’ve got a 2ft swell from the north with a long, 11-second period. The energy jumps to 312 (moderate), and the wave comment says "expect good surf conditions". That's the best of the bunch. The afternoon keeps it clean with a light ESE breeze. For a spot that’s been quiet for so long, that Thursday the 21st of August is the one to circle. It’s a long-range call, but the signs are promising. For the rest of the run, the swell is small, the wind is often messy, and the crowds are only a possibility.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu afternoon, min 4°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 61mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | N 16 | N 15 | N 14 | N 14 | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | NE 13 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 12 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 55 | 278 | 379 | 438 | 603 | 1087 | 1026 | 635 | 686 | 554 | 506 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:03PM1.71m | 00:27AM1.74m | 12:58PM1.72m | 1:21AM1.75m | 1:58PM1.74m | 2:20AM1.76m | 3:06PM1.77m | 3:26AM1.78m | 4:18PM1.84m | 4:32AM1.80m | 5:24PM1.93m | 5:35AM1.82m | 6:19PM2.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:29PM0.42m | 7:00AM0.31m | 7:27PM0.46m | 7:55AM0.35m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  | | |  |  | |  | |  | |  | | | | |
 | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 11 | 5 | 3 | — | 15 | 24 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NE 11 | WNW 3 | N 14 | N 14 | N 13 | WNW 4 | N 12 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | N 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 |
| kJ | 5 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1087 | 1026 | 635 | 686 | 554 | 506 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 18 | N 16 | N 15 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 15 | N 13 | NE 14 | N 12 | N 12 | NE 13 | N 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 12 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 16 | — | NE 10 | NE 16 | NE 16 | NE 10 | NE 14 | N 10 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | — | 4 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | — | — | SE 9 | — | W 3 | — | WNW 3 | — | NW 3 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | 3 | 55 | 278 | 379 | 438 | 603 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 118 | 121 | 118 | 90 | 123 | 118 | 118 | 119 | 119 | 118 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 119 | 22 | 48 | 77 | 22 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
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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