Whakatane Heads surf break

Whakatane Heads surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Sunday 22 Feb 2026 NZDT
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
21.7° C
(Which is 1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whakatane Heads this week:

The surf forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Feb 22) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 4s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whakatane Heads in the next 12 days are 0.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Mar 01) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Feb 28) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sun 22nd Feb)3.5ft (1.0m) 4s
Best Surf 7PM (Sun 22nd Feb)3.5ft (1.0m) 4s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sun 1st Mar)2.5ft (0.7m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whakatane Heads over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
ENE
0.9
WNW
0.3
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.3
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.4
NE
0.5
NE
0.5
NE
0.6
NE
0.6
NE
Period(s) (?)841099999101010810109111111101110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)132514212122212016332817343428313056549777
Wind
(km/h)
15
SW
15
WNW
15
SW
10
ESE
15
NNW
10
WNW
5
WSW
15
NNW
10
SSE
10
SSE
10
NNW
10
NNW
10
NNW
10
NNW
5
SW
5
SSW
15
NNW
10
SSE
10
S
25
SE
10
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
onoffcross-
off
oncross-
on
cross-
on
onglassglassonoffoffcross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:09AM
1.80
11:28PM
1.78
11:58AM
1.78
12:21AM
1.77
12:49PM
1.77
1:18AM
1.75
1:42PM
1.76
2:19AM
1.73
2:39PM
1.74
3:24AM
1.73
3:42PM
1.72
4:34AM
1.76
4:47PM
1.70
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:39PM
0.16
5:56AM
0.27
6:26PM
0.19
6:48AM
0.32
7:16PM
0.24
7:44AM
0.38
8:11PM
0.29
8:47AM
0.43
9:11PM
0.33
9:52AM
0.46
10:16PM
0.34
10:57AM
0.46
11:19PM
0.33
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunrise6:47--6:48--6:50--6:50--6:52--6:52--6:54--
Sunset-8:01--8:00--8:00--7:58--7:57--7:54--7:53-
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-----------------2---
Temp. °C222519202018212119212018192018212119212015
Feels °C (?)182217181918192018191818191919202019171512
  • 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 12 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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