Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
14.8° C
0.8° 

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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, W swell with 11,421 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 7s. 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 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 19th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 25th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Sun 26th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Thu morning, strong winds from the W by Fri night).

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
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)
4
2
3
3
3
2
2
1
0
1
1
1
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
15
1.5
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
7
1.5
WSW
7
0.8
WSW
12
1.4
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1.8
NW
6
2.3
W
9
2.2
W
9
3
WSW
11
4
WSW
16
5
W
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1569
1512
1310
943
788
569
491
414
504
224
198
196
711
700
395
247
805
725
2086
7193
11421
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
15
WSW
10
E
15
ESE
10
ESE
10
SE
5
SE
10
WNW
20
WSW
15
SW
10
WSW
10
SE
5
ENE
10
NNW
20
NW
40
NNW
25
W
45
W
30
W
50
NW
45
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
off
cross
on
cross-on
on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
1:17PM3.27m
1:36AM3.32m
2:01PM3.09m
2:20AM3.10m
2:48PM2.92m
3:10AM2.90m
3:42PM2.78m
4:11AM2.75m
4:54PM2.71m
5:25AM2.68m
6:15PM2.75m
6:36AM2.72m
7:15PM2.86m
Low Tide
7:28PM0.71m
7:57AM0.73m
8:14PM0.91m
8:42AM0.90m
9:03PM1.10m
9:30AM1.06m
10:01PM1.25m
10:28AM1.18m
11:12PM1.34m
11:44AM1.24m
00:31AM1.32m
12:55PM1.19m
1:31AM1.22m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
mod rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:35
7:35
7:33
7:33
7:33
7:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:27
 mm
4
15
2
6
6
4
Temp °C
14
14
12
12
12
10
10
11
12
13
15
10
10
12
13
12
12
10
12
13
11
Feels °C
11
11
10
9
9
6
8
9
9
10
12
7
7
9
10
5
7
3
5
3
1
  • 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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