Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
14.6° C
0.6° 

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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 12,411 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s is also forecast. 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 5.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Mon 20th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 25th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sun 26th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 37mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Thu morning, strong winds from the W by Sat afternoon).

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
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)
2
3
2
2
1
0
1
2
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
!
0
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)
1.5
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
7
1.5
WSW
7
0.7
SW
12
1.4
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
2.5
WNW
8
3
WSW
9
3.5
WSW
11
3.5
WSW
16
5.5
WSW
11
5
WSW
15
4.5
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
943
692
569
491
414
504
266
211
152
733
892
681
361
693
1507
2725
5527
7127
10352
8905
4395
Wind (km/h)
15
E
10
ESE
10
SE
5
SE
10
WNW
15
WSW
15
SW
15
SSW
5
SE
5
ENE
15
W
15
NNW
30
NNW
30
NW
40
WSW
30
WSW
30
NW
40
WSW
35
WSW
45
WSW
40
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
2:01PM3.09m
2:20AM3.10m
2:48PM2.92m
3:10AM2.90m
3:42PM2.78m
4:11AM2.75m
4:54PM2.71m
5:25AM2.68m
6:15PM2.75m
6:36AM2.72m
7:15PM2.86m
7:34AM2.82m
8:03PM3.01m
Low Tide
8:14PM0.91m
8:42AM0.90m
9:03PM1.10m
9:30AM1.06m
10:01PM1.25m
10:28AM1.18m
11:12PM1.34m
11:44AM1.24m
00:31AM1.32m
12:55PM1.19m
1:31AM1.22m
1:50PM1.08m
2:17AM1.09m
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:35
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:28
 mm
1
2
8
10
6
8
3
1
2
2
Temp °C
10
11
10
10
12
11
13
13
10
11
13
13
13
13
10
11
13
11
11
10
11
Feels °C
6
9
6
8
9
8
9
10
8
9
10
9
7
8
3
5
4
3
2
0
3
  • 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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