Waitara Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.99° S 174.22° E

Waitara Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 20 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Waitara Bar sea temperature is
14.9°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 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 21 Oct, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 24 Oct, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 1,209 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 20 Oct, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s 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 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 20s. 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 1.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Oct 24) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Tue 20th Oct)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 21st Oct)4.5ft (1.4m) 12s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sat 24th Oct)5ft (1.5m) 17s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
2
2
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
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)
0.9
WSW
13
1
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
0.9
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
15
1.1
WSW
14
1
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
8
1.8
WSW
8
1.3
WSW
7
0.8
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
17
1.5
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.1
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
16
0.9
WSW
17
1.3
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
14
1.9
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
269
346
488
390
525
453
362
294
455
181
180
813
1082
902
508
746
688
516
786
594
549
Wind (km/h)
10
ENE
15
W
5
SSW
20
WSW
15
W
5
SSE
20
W
30
W
10
SSW
5
N
15
W
5
WSW
10
WNW
20
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
15
W
15
WNW
15
NW
25
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
on
High Tide
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
10:27AM3.50m
10:40PM3.56m
Low Tide
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
4:16AM0.26m
4:37PM0.31m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
—
—
6:28
—
—
6:28
—
—
6:26
—
—
6:24
—
—
6:24
—
—
6:22
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:45
—
—
7:45
—
—
7:46
—
—
7:49
—
—
7:50
—
—
7:51
—
—
7:52
—
 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
14
15
13
13
13
12
15
15
11
15
15
13
14
15
12
15
15
14
15
15
15
Feels °C
11
13
12
9
10
12
10
9
7
13
13
11
13
12
9
11
11
12
13
13
10
  • 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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