
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, N swell with 323 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whangamata Bar this week:
The surf forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Bar in the next 16 days are 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, listen up. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for the Whangamata Bar, and I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead. We’ve got a long, dry spell on the cards, so if you’re itching for a wave, you’re going to need some patience.
The water’s sitting at about 58°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no dramas there with your wetsuit.
The next week and a half is looking bleak. We kick off this Saturday the 8th with practically nothing – just a tiny 0.3ft swell and poor conditions. It’s a frustrating start. Through Sunday and Monday, we see a little pulse of energy, maybe 4ft, but it’s short-period and pretty junky. The winds are all over the place, mostly onshore or cross, making it messy. The Bar is inconsistent at the best of times, and this run is really testing that.
We get a small window on Monday morning with light offshore winds and a clean 4ft, but it’s still nothing to write home about. The energy is weak (174), and the swell is just too disorganised to make the most of it. Tuesday morning is glassy with a tiny 2ft, which would be fun if it had any power, but it just doesn't. The swell energy is weak (62). This whole period is a write-off.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Friday the 14th in the afternoon. The wind swings around to a light cross-offshore, and we finally see the swell energy jump up to a moderate 278. The swell jumps to 4ft from the NNE with a period of 7 seconds. It’s not perfect, but it’s the first time the conditions actually line up to make the Bar look half-decent. That’s your best bet for a surf in the first week, but keep your expectations in check.
After that, the plug gets pulled again. The following week drops right back off into that poor surf territory. There’s a bit of a bump on Wednesday the 12th, but the wind is howling onshore and it’s raining – not worth it. The rest of the week is just tiny, weak leftovers. The long-range stuff towards the 22nd and 23rd is looking small and coming from a dodgy direction with onshore winds, so don’t hold your breath.
So, to be honest, unless you’re desperate, this is a week to get the gear fixed or go for a paddle. The only session that shows any promise is Friday afternoon. It’s gonna be a long haul until we get a proper pulse of swell. The Bar can be a funny place, but this run is just plain empty.
I’ll be keeping an eye on it. Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 15 | NE 14 | NE 13 | N 5 | N 6 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 83 | 227 | 159 | 101 | 72 | 54 | 52 | 52 | 87 | 183 | 188 | 68 | 96 | 176 | 64 | 167 | 145 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 2:04PM1.69m | 2:22AM1.69m | 3:08PM1.72m | 3:27AM1.70m | 4:11PM1.77m | 4:31AM1.72m | 5:13PM1.84m | 5:33AM1.76m | 6:11PM1.90m | 6:31AM1.80m | 7:05PM1.96m | 7:27AM1.83m | 7:56PM1.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:15PM0.37m | 8:46AM0.22m | 9:20PM0.36m | 9:48AM0.19m | 10:25PM0.32m | 10:51AM0.15m | 11:29PM0.26m | 11:51AM0.10m | 00:29AM0.19m | 12:48PM0.06m | 1:25AM0.12m | 1:41PM0.04m | 2:17AM0.08m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
— | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | 4 | 4 | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 15 | NE 14 | NE 13 | E 13 | NE 13 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NE 10 | NE 6 | NNE 7 | E 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 |
9 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 227 | 159 | 101 | 72 | 54 | 52 | 52 | 87 | 4 | 141 | 68 | 23 | 136 | 59 | 167 | 145 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | N 12 | E 10 | N 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 11 | E 12 | E 13 | E 6 | NE 6 | NE 10 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 |
1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 5 | 17 | 10 | 6 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 13 | NE 10 | N 12 | — | N 12 | E 12 | E 11 | — | — | E 12 | — | — | — | N 12 | E 10 | NE 6 | NE 11 | E 16 | NE 10 | E 14 | E 14 |
3 | 4 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 18 | 18 | 5 | 34 | 4 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 3 | N 5 | N 6 | — | SW 3 | WSW 2 | SW 3 | — | — | ENE 3 | E 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | W 2 |
— | — | 1 | 16 | 83 | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 4 | 29 | 183 | 188 | — | 96 | 176 | 64 | 101 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 110 | 110 | 125 | 230 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 107 | 107 | 134 | 124 | 107 | 125 | 125 | 20 | 28 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Coromandel | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Whangamata Bar Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Whangamata Bar provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Whangamata Bar can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Whangamata 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 (Whangamata 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 Whangamata 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.
Whangamata Bar is 59 km (37 miles) from the city of Tauranga. If you plan a holiday in The Coromandel, look for hotels and other accommodation in Tauranga. Tauranga has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











