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Surf Forecasts:
Waitara Bar surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand
Forecast update in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Waitara Bar surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
16.6° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)Waitara Bar surf forecast from 28 May 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 29 May, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 1 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NNW swell with 1,319 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 29 May, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Friday (May 29) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Waitara Bar in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jun 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Jun 02) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 29th May) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 29th May) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 1st Jun) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waitara Bar over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 48mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thu 28 | Friday 29 | Saturday 30 | Sunday 31 | Monday 1 | Tuesday 2 | Wednesday 3 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | |
286 | 309 | 313 | 402 | 463 | 379 | 299 | 170 | 75 | 893 | 1065 | 917 | 1202 | 69 | 50 | 47 | 306 | 318 | 303 | 624 | 331 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
cross | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | |
High Tide | 8:10PM3.11m | 8:24AM3.09m | 8:49PM3.23m | 9:03AM3.15m | 9:24PM3.32m | 9:40AM3.20m | 9:58PM3.38m | 10:16AM3.23m | 10:32PM3.40m | 10:51AM3.22m | 11:06PM3.39m | 11:27AM3.18m | 11:43PM3.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:20AM0.83m | 2:36PM0.70m | 2:59AM0.78m | 3:14PM0.66m | 3:35AM0.76m | 3:50PM0.66m | 4:10AM0.77m | 4:26PM0.68m | 4:45AM0.80m | 5:01PM0.73m | 5:21AM0.86m | 5:37PM0.80m | 6:00AM0.92m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | |
5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | 5:07 | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 14 | — | — | 2 | 6 | |
Temp °C | 16 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 |
13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | WSW 11 | NNW 7 | WSW 14 | WSW 8 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 |
286 | 309 | 313 | 402 | 463 | 379 | 299 | 170 | 75 | 38 | 1065 | 917 | 1202 | 69 | 41 | 47 | 143 | 192 | 250 | 624 | 331 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | W 9 | WSW 11 | NNW 6 | WSW 13 | NNW 6 | WSW 16 |
— | 49 | 33 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 30 | 60 | 56 | 50 | 40 | 49 | 20 | 303 | 6 | 25 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 12 | — | — | W 17 | WSW 16 | N 13 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | N 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | — | — | 6 | 47 | 3 | 14 | 2 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | NNW 8 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | W 7 | WSW 8 | — | — | NNE 4 |
71 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 21 | 143 | 452 | 893 | 69 | 54 | 16 | 1095 | 643 | 470 | 306 | 318 | — | — | 20 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 108 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 107 | 118 | 107 | 118 | 107 | 59 | 59 | 104 | 193 | 227 | 90 | 108 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.












