Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, NNW swell with 335 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, giving you the lowdown in feet and Fahrenheit for the next two weeks.
The only break in the conversation is Whangamata Bar, a beach/bar setup that works best with NE swell.
We’re sitting on a flat spell right now. The first surf that even gets a nod isn’t until Saturday, 29 August, and that’s just barely a recommendation. The morning of the 29th has a weak 3ft wave from the N, a short 6-second period, and only 57 combined energy. The wind is a cross-offshore from the NNW, so the surface will be tidy, but it’s still a marginal day. This spot is inconsistent anyway, so a slow start isn't unusual.
The best window is Monday, 01 September and Tuesday, 02 September. Both mornings and afternoons show waist-high 2ft sets from the NE, with a period of 11 seconds giving the waves better shape. The energy is picking up to 74-96, and the wind is a clean offshore from the W and WNW – glassy and smooth. It’s surfable but very ordinary. Crowds are only "sometimes" a problem, so you’ll have space to find your own peak.
After that, we go back into the doldrums by Wednesday, 03 September with a cross-onshore ESE breeze messing up a 3ft N swell.
Nothing here gets over 5ft, so beginners are fine. For the kite crew, those clean offshore days on the 1st and 2nd with moderate energy are worth a look.
Water temp is 58°, which is average for this time of year – a 4/3 wetsuit should be plenty.
It’s an inconsistent spot, so the long gaps between good surf are normal. Keep an eye out, but don't hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 8 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 7 | N 6 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 12 | E 11 | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 | NE 10 | N 12 | N 12 | E 10 | NE 9 | N 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 32 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 18 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:05PM1.52m | 2:19AM1.47m | 3:00PM1.50m | 3:14AM1.46m | 3:55PM1.51m | 4:08AM1.46m | 4:48PM1.55m | 5:00AM1.49m | 5:35PM1.60m | 5:49AM1.53m | 6:19PM1.66m | 6:34AM1.58m | 7:01PM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:11PM0.55m | 8:34AM0.45m | 9:06PM0.57m | 9:28AM0.45m | 10:02PM0.56m | 10:22AM0.43m | 10:57PM0.52m | 11:13AM0.39m | 11:47PM0.46m | 12:01PM0.34m | 00:34AM0.39m | 12:46PM0.29m | 1:18AM0.32m | ||||||||
6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 9 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | NE 14 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | N 7 | N 6 | N 5 | — | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 |
1 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 6 | 2 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 7 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 10 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | E 11 | E 12 | — | NW 4 | N 13 | — | N 7 | E 9 | — | — | — | — |
— | 1 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 11 | NE 10 | E 10 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | NE 9 | — | — | E 11 | N 13 | — | N 12 | E 10 | N 12 | N 12 | E 10 | E 9 | — |
— | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 2 | N 5 | NNW 6 | WSW 2 | WSW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | N 5 |
— | — | 1 | 13 | 48 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 18 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 195 | 237 | 237 | 237 | 243 | 127 | 127 | 251 | 237 | 237 | 237 | 242 | 237 | 246 | 107 | 230 | 237 | 107 | 124 | 237 | 230 |
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.











