Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 16 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
13.9°C
0.5° 

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


Waitara Bar surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 7,859 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period with WSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Waitara Bar this week:

The surf forecast for Waitara Bar over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Waitara Bar in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 18th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Best Surf 3AM (Sun 20th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 21st Sep)13ft (4.0m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waitara Bar over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SW by Fri morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning).

Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
AM
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
3
4
3
4
2
1
2
!
!
!
!
1
2
0
0
!
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
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
12
1.9
W
14
1.4
WSW
14
3
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
16
3
WSW
10
1.7
WSW
15
3
WSW
15
3
WSW
14
5
WSW
11
5
WSW
12
4
WSW
15
3.5
WSW
16
2.2
WSW
15
3
WSW
14
2
WSW
13
2
W
13
3.5
WSW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
299
295
550
1423
754
2470
1518
1696
1796
1275
3465
4226
5558
7089
7859
5572
2158
3111
1319
1359
1944
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
15
WNW
15
N
30
N
35
N
20
SW
20
S
15
SSW
10
SSW
25
WSW
25
W
30
W
35
WSW
30
WSW
5
SSE
5
WNW
25
W
20
W
15
NW
25
NW
20
SW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
off
glassy
cross
cross
cross-on
on
cross-off
High Tide
12:41PM3.21m
00:57AM3.05m
1:20PM3.03m
1:41AM2.85m
2:08PM2.84m
2:40AM2.67m
3:13PM2.69m
3:58AM2.55m
4:39PM2.62m
5:17AM2.55m
5:57PM2.69m
6:26AM2.65m
6:55PM2.84m
Low Tide
6:59PM0.88m
7:17AM0.85m
7:43PM1.09m
8:00AM1.06m
8:35PM1.28m
8:53AM1.25m
9:41PM1.40m
10:06AM1.37m
11:03PM1.41m
11:34AM1.33m
00:22AM1.29m
12:44PM1.17m
1:18AM1.08m
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:13
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:13
6:14
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:17
6:19
 mm
1
2
5
5
4
1
2
Temp °C
13
14
13
14
13
12
15
15
10
13
13
13
14
13
9
13
13
12
14
14
11
Feels °C
10
11
10
8
7
10
12
11
6
8
9
8
6
6
6
8
7
7
11
10
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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Information about the Waitara Bar Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Waitara Bar provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Waitara Bar can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Waitara Bar 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 (Waitara Bar) 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 Waitara Bar 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 Taranaki? If you are looking for accommodation near Waitara Bar, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Taranaki, consider staying in New Plymouth which is 14 km (9 miles) away.

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