
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, NNW swell with 415 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period with E 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 7s. 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 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Looks like the Wanaka side of things is pretty quiet, Lake Hawea is staying mostly still, and the ocean is a mixed bag. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak surf ahead for a while, but there are a couple of solid pulses on the horizon that could make it worth waiting for. Let’s get into it.
Right, from the get-go on Wednesday the 22nd, it’s flat. Tiny 1ft ENE windswell with no power, combined wave energy a feeble 7, and just messy. Thursday the 23rd is even smaller – 0.7ft with the odd glassy moment but no push. Friday the 24th not much better, 2ft, short period, cross-off wind but still poor. We’re sitting through a quiet spell here.
Finally, Saturday morning the 25th brings a pulse of life. Whangamata Bar picks up 3ft from the east with a solid 11-second period – that’s a long-period groundswell, so it’ll have shape and energy between sets. The combined wave energy jumps to 303 – that’s moderate, with a nice clean offshore from the WSW and a light breeze. This one’s worth an early paddle, but it’s inconsistent and the swell direction isn’t the optimum NE, so don’t expect perfection. By Saturday afternoon the wind picks up to a fresh 30 km/h offshore – clean but a bit bumpy, and the swell drops to 3ft. It’s a small window.
Sunday the 26th drains away to 2ft and light rain, glassy but ordinary. Monday the 27th stays small (2ft) with a long 13-second period, but the energy is weak (99). Tuesday the 28th shows a bit more energy (113 to 177) but still messy and wind-affected.
Midweek Wednesday the 29th is where we start to see something. Morning brings 3ft easterly with a 13-second period and a glassy offshore from the WSW. Combined energy hits 315 – solid moderate. By the afternoon, it builds to 4ft, 12-second period, with a gentle offshore. That’s the best of the first week, but it’s still smallish for the bar and the direction isn’t quite on the optimum NE.
Thursday the 30th morning looks the standout of the first run: 5ft easterly at 14 seconds, combined energy 764 – that’s moderate to strong, with only a light cross-off and clean conditions. The swell direction is east, not the ideal NE, but the size and period make it the pick. The afternoon turns to marginal conditions with a light cross-shore and ripples – still surfable but picky.
Friday the 31st fades to 4ft, messy, and by the weekend we’re back to ordinary 3ft surf. Saturday the 1st of August stays clean with glassy morning and a 3ft east swell at 13 seconds, energy 232 – good for a small clean session if you’re keen. Sunday the 2nd drops further, and Monday the 3rd is tiny.
But hold on. Tuesday the 4th of August – that’s the one. Whangamata Bar sees a jump to 8ft from the north, period 8 seconds (short-period windswell), combined energy 940 – strong. Glassy, offshore light breeze from the SW. This is proper swell size, but note: at 8ft that’s getting big, and on a beach-bar setup like this, with short period, it’ll be powerful and maybe a bit dumpy – only for experienced surfers. Wednesday the 5th stays around 6ft to 5ft from the NNE with a touch more period (9 seconds), still clean and glassy. Energy around 400-500, moderate to strong.
And then Thursday the 6th of August morning: 10ft from the ESE, 8-second period, glassy – combined energy 1324, which is very strong. That is a big pulse. Again, with short period and that size, this is for experts only on the bar. It’ll close out quickly and be dangerous. For the hellmen who know how to handle it, it’s a serious session, but definitely not for the crowd.
So, the best on offer? The clean, moderate groundswell on the morning of Thursday the 30th of July (5ft easterly, 14 seconds, energy 764) is the most user-friendly standout in the first week. And for the second week, the big swell Tuesday the 4th of August morning looks the most powerful, but that’s expert territory. Two standouts, but they’re quite different beasts.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri night, min 4°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SW by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 5 | ENE 4 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | N 7 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 6 | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 26 | 32 | 128 | 206 | 152 | 114 | 82 | 57 | 92 | 92 | 98 | 103 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:27AM1.72m | 1:01PM1.62m | 1:16AM1.63m | 1:54PM1.57m | 2:06AM1.56m | 2:47PM1.54m | 2:58AM1.52m | 3:39PM1.53m | 3:50AM1.50m | 4:31PM1.54m | 4:41AM1.50m | 5:20PM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:47AM0.25m | 7:06PM0.40m | 7:35AM0.32m | 7:57PM0.47m | 8:24AM0.37m | 8:50PM0.52m | 9:14AM0.41m | 9:43PM0.55m | 10:05AM0.42m | 10:36PM0.54m | 10:56AM0.40m | 11:28PM0.52m | |||||||
— | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | 5 | 11 | 9 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Feels °C | 6 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | E 5 | ENE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 9 | N 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | N 6 | ESE 11 | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 |
8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 26 | 32 | 42 | 97 | 152 | 114 | 82 | 39 | 41 | 92 | 98 | 103 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 11 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 13 | E 11 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | E 11 | N 7 | SE 5 | N 8 | — |
2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 80 | 206 | 40 | 12 | 1 | 57 | 9 | 6 | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | E 10 | E 10 | — | N 7 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 7 | — | — | — | E 17 | — | E 15 | E 9 | ESE 6 | N 7 | — |
1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 5 | — | 4 | 6 | 7 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | N 4 | N 7 | WNW 2 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | NNW 2 | SE 2 | SE 6 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | WSW 3 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | 128 | 1 | 17 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 92 | 2 | 10 | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 116 | 195 | 216 | 116 | 107 | 242 | 230 | 195 | 237 | 139 | 0 | 108 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 107 | 0 | 144 | 144 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Coromandel | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










