
Surf Forecasts:
Waitara Bar surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 7,859 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m 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 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Waitara Bar over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SW by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 13 | WSW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
299 | 295 | 550 | 1423 | 754 | 2470 | 1518 | 1696 | 1796 | 1275 | 3465 | 4226 | 5558 | 7089 | 7859 | 5572 | 2158 | 3111 | 1319 | 1359 | 1944 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | off | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:41PM3.21m | 00:57AM3.05m | 1:20PM3.03m | 1:41AM2.85m | 2:08PM2.84m | 2:40AM2.67m | 3:13PM2.69m | 3:58AM2.55m | 4:39PM2.62m | 5:17AM2.55m | 5:57PM2.69m | 6:26AM2.65m | 6:55PM2.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:59PM0.88m | 7:17AM0.85m | 7:43PM1.09m | 8:00AM1.06m | 8:35PM1.28m | 8:53AM1.25m | 9:41PM1.40m | 10:06AM1.37m | 11:03PM1.41m | 11:34AM1.33m | 00:22AM1.29m | 12:44PM1.17m | 1:18AM1.08m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 14 | WNW 8 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | — | WSW 13 | — | — |
299 | 295 | 550 | 1423 | 476 | 2470 | 1311 | 711 | 1511 | 1138 | — | — | — | — | 7859 | 5572 | 2158 | — | 1319 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 18 | — | — | WSW 14 | NW 8 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | — | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 6 | — | — | 754 | 381 | 1518 | 1696 | — | 1275 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 60 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | W 6 | — | N 5 | NNE 6 | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 11 | WSW 12 | — | — | WSW 10 | WSW 14 | — | W 13 | WSW 9 |
57 | 40 | — | 34 | 145 | — | — | — | 1796 | — | 3465 | 4226 | 5558 | 7089 | — | — | 1103 | 3111 | — | 1359 | 1944 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 108 | 108 | 256 | 90 | 107 | 238 | 227 | 0 | 245 | 108 | 236 | 236 | 236 | 323 | 253 | 8 | 87 | 236 | 238 | 108 | 238 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










