Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 20 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
14.0°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 20 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 7,044 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 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 Sunday (Sep 20) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 13s period. 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 Sunday (Sep 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 24) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 20th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Sun 20th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sun 20th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed morning, calm by Fri morning).

Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
3
1
1
0
!
!
3
3
5
4
1
4
3
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
5
WSW
11
4.5
WSW
12
3.5
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
9
3.5
WSW
10
1.7
WSW
14
2
WSW
15
3
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.4
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
13
1
WSW
13
2
W
12
2.5
W
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5537
5655
6533
5020
3865
2541
692
2030
2132
1083
1907
4486
3456
2874
2441
811
522
427
341
1175
786
Wind (km/h)
35
SW
30
WSW
5
SSE
20
W
25
W
20
WNW
20
NW
35
WSW
20
SW
20
SW
20
SSW
20
SSE
10
SSE
25
WSW
10
SSW
5
SW
30
WSW
15
WSW
15
WNW
20
WSW
30
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
High Tide
4:39PM2.62m
5:17AM2.55m
5:57PM2.69m
6:26AM2.65m
6:55PM2.84m
7:21AM2.80m
7:41PM3.02m
8:07AM2.98m
8:20PM3.21m
8:46AM3.17m
8:57PM3.38m
9:22AM3.34m
9:32PM3.53m
Low Tide
10:06AM1.37m
11:03PM1.41m
11:34AM1.33m
00:22AM1.29m
12:44PM1.17m
1:18AM1.08m
1:35PM0.96m
2:00AM0.84m
2:16PM0.73m
2:37AM0.61m
2:53PM0.53m
3:12AM0.42m
3:28PM0.38m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:13
6:13
6:11
6:09
6:07
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:20
6:21
6:21
6:22
 mm
1
1
2
2
4
Temp °C
13
13
9
13
13
13
14
13
10
12
12
7
11
12
10
14
13
11
12
13
14
Feels °C
6
6
6
8
8
10
11
5
4
6
6
2
6
5
6
9
7
7
9
10
9
  • 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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