Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
14.2° C
0.4° 

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 28 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, W swell with 7,907 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. 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 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 28th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Best Surf 3PM (Fri 31st Jul)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 1st Aug)15ft (4.5m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 6°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the N by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Fri night, calm by Sat night).

Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
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
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
!
3
4
2
1
3
4
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
WSW
11
1.3
WSW
11
1.1
WSW
11
1.1
WSW
11
1.1
WSW
11
1.5
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
14
2
W
9
2.5
WNW
9
3.5
W
9
4.5
W
14
4
WSW
14
3
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
11
1.4
WSW
10
0.7
W
22
1.4
WSW
19
1.5
WSW
18
1.4
WSW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
471
373
265
260
256
841
643
447
613
1119
1849
7558
5795
3394
1332
575
373
462
1365
1404
1125
Wind (km/h)
10
SE
10
WSW
10
ESE
10
NE
15
N
15
NNE
25
NNE
25
N
30
NNW
30
W
35
W
35
W
30
SSE
30
SSE
10
SSE
5
SSE
25
SE
15
SSE
0
SSE
20
WNW
20
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
off
off
off
glassy
off
off
glassy
cross-on
cross
High Tide
9:04AM3.09m
9:21PM3.30m
9:42AM3.21m
9:56PM3.42m
10:17AM3.31m
10:31PM3.51m
10:51AM3.37m
11:05PM3.56m
11:25AM3.39m
11:39PM3.57m
12:00PM3.38m
00:13AM3.53m
12:36PM3.33m
00:49AM3.44m
Low Tide
3:14PM0.82m
3:33AM0.84m
3:50PM0.70m
4:09AM0.73m
4:24PM0.61m
4:44AM0.64m
4:58PM0.55m
5:19AM0.59m
5:33PM0.54m
5:56AM0.57m
6:09PM0.58m
6:33AM0.59m
6:47PM0.67m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:32
5:34
 mm
4
4
18
4
2
5
2
1
Temp °C
10
11
9
9
11
11
13
13
13
13
12
12
9
10
7
10
9
8
10
12
12
Feels °C
7
7
5
5
8
8
8
8
7
6
4
4
2
3
5
7
2
2
7
7
8
  • 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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