
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, N swell with 348 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period with NNW 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Bar in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Whangamata Bar. Gotta be straight with you – it’s a lean period ahead. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat for the most part, so don’t get your hopes up too high. The first real chance of anything worth paddling out for doesn’t show up until Tuesday the 8th of September, and even then, it’s nothing to write home about.
We’ve got a few days of tiny, weak swell to start with. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are just flat, with waves around 0.7ft and not enough energy to push a sea lion off a rock. Wind is offshore or cross-offshore, but with no swell, it doesn’t mean a thing. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so a normal 4/3mm wetsuit will do the job.
Monday the 7th sees a little bump in size, but the period is short, around 6 to 7 seconds, and it’s messy. The combined energy is only 75 on the morning, jumping to 193 in the afternoon – so there’s a bit more push, but it’s still poor surf. The wind is cross-off and the weather is cloudy with light rain, so it’s not looking inviting.
Now, Tuesday the 8th of September is the only real standout in this whole outlook. The morning brings a 4ft swell from the north, with a period of 8 seconds and a combined energy of 246 (moderate). The wind is light offshore from the west, meaning clean conditions. The afternoon is even better – the wind goes glassy, with a 3ft swell from the north-northeast at 8 seconds, and while the energy drops to 117, it’s still surfable. This is a beach and bar setup, so the long period isn’t an issue here, but the consistency is listed as ‘inconsistent,’ so you’ll have to be patient between sets. The water temp is still about average for the time of year. Crowds are possible, so keep an eye out.
After that, we’re back to the doldrums. From Wednesday the 9th right through to Sunday the 20th of September, the swell drops back to tiny, mostly 0.3ft to 2ft, and the energy is weak. The wind is often offshore, which is the only positive, but there’s simply no wave to ride. There are a few days with a longer period (12-14 seconds), but the swell height is too small to do anything with. It’s a genuine flat spell, and for a spot like Whangamata Bar, that’s not unusual.
So, to sum it up: if you’re desperate for a surf, your only real window is Tuesday the 8th of September. The morning is clean with a 4ft north swell, and the afternoon is glassy with a 3ft north-northeast swell. It’s inconsistent, but it’s the best you’re going to get.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 7 | N 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 14 | NE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
44 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 28 | 61 | 184 | 348 | 241 | 107 | 36 | 36 | 22 | 43 | 29 | 46 | 43 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross | on | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:07AM1.72m | 12:46PM1.72m | 1:05AM1.68m | 1:48PM1.71m | 2:09AM1.65m | 2:53PM1.72m | 3:16AM1.65m | 3:57PM1.76m | 4:21AM1.68m | 4:58PM1.81m | 5:22AM1.72m | 5:53PM1.86m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:30AM0.21m | 7:01PM0.34m | 7:28AM0.23m | 8:03PM0.36m | 8:30AM0.25m | 9:09PM0.36m | 9:34AM0.24m | 10:15PM0.32m | 10:37AM0.21m | 11:16PM0.25m | 11:36AM0.17m | 00:13AM0.18m | |||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 12 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 9 |
Feels °C | 9 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 7 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | N 5 | ENE 9 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 |
44 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 28 | 8 | 184 | 147 | 241 | 107 | 36 | 36 | 22 | 43 | 29 | 34 | 27 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | N 5 | — | — | — | ENE 9 | E 18 | NE 9 | E 9 | E 16 | NE 16 | N 8 | ENE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 14 | ENE 14 | NE 14 | NE 13 |
10 | 10 | 2 | — | — | — | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 29 | 7 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 46 | 43 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 18 | E 16 | — | — | NE 17 | ENE 15 | ENE 15 | — | E 4 | — | ENE 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | — | — | 11 | 21 | 21 | — | 4 | — | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 2 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | N 6 | — | N 7 | W 3 | WNW 2 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 |
— | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 74 | 61 | — | 348 | 4 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 127 | 266 | 242 | 242 | 242 | 246 | 246 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 109 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 154 |
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.










