Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 16 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
14.7° C
0.7° 

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 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 3,348 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s 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 (Jul 17) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 15s 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) 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 1.1m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Fri 17th Jul)7ft (2.1m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Fri 17th Jul)7ft (2.1m) 15s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 17th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
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)
1
2
4
4
2
3
2
1
3
4
3
4
3
1
3
3
1
2
1
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)
2.4
WSW
16
2.3
WSW
15
2.1
WSW
15
1.6
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
15
1.9
WSW
17
1.7
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
16
1.8
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
12
0.7
SW
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2610
2264
1902
1091
2754
1471
1292
1275
2096
1569
1512
1432
1083
841
805
643
551
377
347
177
133
Wind (km/h)
20
W
20
WSW
10
SSW
15
SW
25
WSW
20
SW
20
WSW
25
WSW
15
SW
5
SE
5
WNW
5
SSE
5
ENE
15
W
15
SSE
10
SSE
10
W
5
SSE
15
WSW
20
WSW
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
11:02AM3.60m
11:25PM3.81m
11:48AM3.54m
00:10AM3.71m
12:33PM3.43m
00:53AM3.53m
1:17PM3.27m
1:36AM3.32m
2:01PM3.09m
2:20AM3.10m
2:48PM2.92m
3:10AM2.90m
3:42PM2.78m
Low Tide
5:12PM0.31m
5:41AM0.36m
5:58PM0.38m
6:28AM0.45m
6:42PM0.52m
7:14AM0.57m
7:28PM0.71m
7:57AM0.73m
8:14PM0.91m
8:42AM0.90m
9:03PM1.10m
9:30AM1.06m
10:01PM1.25m
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:37
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
 mm
1
1
3
Temp °C
14
14
11
13
12
10
12
12
12
12
12
11
13
13
10
13
13
11
13
14
12
Feels °C
11
11
8
8
7
6
7
6
7
11
10
10
12
11
8
10
10
9
8
10
10
  • 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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