Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 21 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
15.0°C
0.9° 

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 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 27 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 27 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, WNW swell with 2,878 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 21 Oct, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Wednesday (Oct 21) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Oct 27) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Oct 24) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Wed 21st Oct)4ft (1.2m) 15s
Best Surf 4PM (Tue 27th Oct)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 7PM (Tue 27th Oct)11ft (3.5m) 11s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Mon night).

Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
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
0
2
0
0
3
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
15
1.1
WSW
14
0.9
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
8
2.1
WSW
9
1.3
WSW
8
0.7
SW
12
1.2
WSW
17
1.5
WSW
16
1.5
WSW
15
1.1
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
14
1
WSW
13
2.2
NW
7
3.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
784
525
447
299
374
615
204
147
804
1136
1079
508
766
838
1042
736
687
336
453
2746
2276
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
20
W
5
S
20
WSW
30
W
15
SW
5
ENE
10
WNW
5
NE
10
N
15
WNW
20
WSW
20
W
20
W
15
W
15
WNW
20
NW
25
NNW
30
NW
15
W
10
W
Wind State
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
7:01PM2.82m
7:34AM2.75m
7:51PM2.97m
8:25AM2.93m
8:36PM3.14m
9:09AM3.13m
9:17PM3.31m
9:49AM3.33m
9:58PM3.46m
10:27AM3.50m
10:40PM3.56m
11:07AM3.62m
11:22PM3.60m
Low Tide
12:49PM1.16m
1:27AM1.03m
1:46PM0.98m
2:16AM0.80m
2:34PM0.77m
2:57AM0.58m
3:16PM0.57m
3:36AM0.39m
3:56PM0.41m
4:16AM0.26m
4:37PM0.31m
4:56AM0.20m
5:18PM0.28m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
mod rain
part cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:28
—
—
6:28
—
—
6:26
—
—
6:24
—
—
6:24
—
—
6:22
—
—
6:20
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:45
—
—
7:46
—
—
7:49
—
—
7:50
—
—
7:51
—
—
7:52
—
—
7:52
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
5
7
—
2
Temp °C
14
13
11
14
15
11
16
16
13
14
15
14
14
14
13
14
15
14
15
16
14
Feels °C
10
9
10
9
9
7
14
15
13
13
13
12
10
10
10
11
12
11
10
15
12
  • 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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