Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 19 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
15.1°C
1.1° 

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 18 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 24 Oct, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 26 Oct, 1PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 1,682 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 20 Oct, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s 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 (Oct 20) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 14s. 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 2.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Oct 26) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Oct 25) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 20th Oct)5.5ft (1.7m) 8s
Best Surf 7AM (Sat 24th Oct)5ft (1.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 1PM (Mon 26th Oct)6.5ft (2.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
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
0
2
1
0
2
1
1
2
1
0
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
WSW
16
0.9
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
8
0.9
WSW
13
1.1
SW
13
1.3
WSW
12
0.9
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
15
1.1
WSW
14
1
WSW
14
0.9
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
8
1.2
WSW
7
0.8
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
17
1.5
WSW
16
1.5
WSW
15
1.1
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
16
1.5
WSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
237
353
413
269
382
488
390
525
415
357
269
466
157
180
745
1136
1079
508
636
706
1151
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
20
W
15
WSW
5
NE
15
W
5
SW
20
WSW
25
W
5
SSE
15
W
30
W
15
SW
5
ENE
10
NW
10
NNE
10
NW
15
W
20
W
25
W
20
W
15
W
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
4:50PM2.69m
5:29AM2.57m
6:01PM2.71m
6:35AM2.63m
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
Low Tide
10:25AM1.30m
11:14PM1.32m
11:40AM1.29m
00:25AM1.22m
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
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
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—
6:30
—
—
6:28
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—
6:28
—
—
6:26
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—
6:24
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—
6:24
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—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:44
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—
7:45
—
—
7:45
—
—
7:46
—
—
7:49
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—
7:50
—
—
7:51
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
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Temp °C
13
14
11
14
16
12
14
14
12
15
16
12
16
16
13
15
15
13
15
15
14
Feels °C
10
10
10
12
13
11
9
10
11
11
11
9
14
15
13
14
13
10
11
12
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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