Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
13.6°C
0.3° 

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 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 6,506 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 20s period with W 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 20s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sat 29th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 20s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 30th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 31st Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SW by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon night, light winds from the SSW by Tue afternoon).

Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
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)
0
0
0
1
1
2
0
1
!
!
!
0
!
!
4
2
0
1
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
WNW
9
2.5
NW
10
2.3
NW
9
1.3
NW
8
1.2
WSW
9
1.5
WSW
9
2.3
WSW
8
2.5
WSW
8
4
WSW
10
4.5
WSW
12
4
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
14
4
WSW
11
4
WSW
11
3
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
14
2.3
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
15
2.3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
781
1278
853
233
238
365
696
933
3250
5655
6275
5676
3888
4349
3092
2180
1933
928
610
2027
2478
Wind (km/h)
30
N
30
N
20
NW
10
WNW
20
WSW
20
SW
30
WSW
30
WSW
35
SW
30
SW
30
WSW
35
W
30
SW
20
SSW
15
SW
25
WSW
20
W
20
W
20
W
20
W
20
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
9:52AM3.34m
10:04PM3.55m
10:26AM3.45m
10:38PM3.63m
10:59AM3.51m
11:11PM3.65m
11:33AM3.52m
11:46PM3.61m
12:08PM3.47m
00:22AM3.50m
12:47PM3.37m
1:04AM3.33m
1:32PM3.22m
1:54AM3.13m
Low Tide
3:59PM0.46m
4:18AM0.44m
4:32PM0.38m
4:52AM0.36m
5:06PM0.36m
5:28AM0.35m
5:43PM0.42m
6:05AM0.41m
6:21PM0.54m
6:44AM0.54m
7:04PM0.71m
7:27AM0.72m
7:55PM0.91m
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
6:46
6:45
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
 mm
1
2
11
3
4
1
1
2
4
Temp °C
13
14
14
13
14
11
14
14
13
12
12
12
12
11
10
12
13
13
14
14
14
Feels °C
8
9
10
10
9
6
8
8
7
4
5
5
5
5
5
6
8
9
11
11
11
  • 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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