Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 17 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 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 13,475 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 2.1m and 9s. 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 5.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 17th Sep)6ft (1.8m) 13s
Best Surf 6AM (Sun 20th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sun 20th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Fri night, strong winds from the W by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun morning, light winds from the SW by Sun night).

Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
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
4
4
4
4
2
1
0
!
!
!
!
!
2
1
!
!
2
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
W
14
1.5
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
16
1.6
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
15
5
WSW
11
5
WSW
13
5
WSW
16
4
WSW
17
3.5
WSW
16
3
WSW
15
2.3
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
9
3.5
WSW
10
1.8
WSW
15
2.2
WSW
16
2.4
WSW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1298
854
1778
1762
1376
1167
2784
3032
1432
6235
8330
12376
8543
5572
3907
2012
1676
2314
1479
2631
3204
Wind (km/h)
25
NNE
20
N
10
ESE
10
SE
15
SW
10
S
20
WSW
25
W
30
W
35
SW
40
SW
15
SSW
25
WSW
30
WSW
25
W
20
WNW
30
WSW
25
SW
25
SW
30
SSE
15
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
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
7:21AM2.80m
7:41PM3.02m
Low Tide
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
1:35PM0.96m
2:00AM0.84m
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:13
6:13
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:14
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:20
 mm
1
5
2
1
1
2
5
1
Temp °C
14
14
13
12
13
10
15
14
13
12
12
10
13
13
12
13
13
11
11
9
7
Feels °C
9
10
12
10
11
8
10
10
8
3
3
3
7
7
7
10
6
5
4
2
1
  • 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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