Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, ENE swell with 176 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with ENE 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 16) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period. 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 1.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, gather 'round. Rusty here with the look ahead for the home break.
First up, we’re looking at Whangamata Bar. It’s a beach and bar setup, and the truth is, for the next week and a half, it’s gonna be pretty dead. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak waves or downright flat conditions from Sunday the 16th all the way through most of the following week. You’re looking at knee-high scraps at best, with a lot of clean but completely undersized surf. The wind is light and often offshore or glassy through those days, so the water will look pretty, but there's just no power behind it. The combined energy is stuck in the low double or single digits (176 down to 3), so it’s not worth wetting a suit for.
Now, the standout window finally appears on Tuesday the 25th of August. That morning, we see a pulse of swell push in from the NNE at 6.6ft, with a hefty combined energy of 632. It’s still a bit chunky and messy with a cross-shore breeze, so only for the experienced heads. It’s a real short-period windswell though, so it'll be lumpy and hard to read. That afternoon, the swell drops to 4.9ft, but the wind swings onshore and ruins any chance of quality. It’s marginal at best.
Honestly, the pick of the limited action is that Tuesday morning (25th August). With the swell coming from the NNE and the break preferring a NE direction, it’s a decent angle for the bar to pick up some lines. The water temperature is sitting around average for this time of year, so don’t expect any surprises there. Just don’t go expecting perfection; the crowds will be possible if any wave actually stands up, but it’s an inconsistent spot, so the lineup might be quiet.
For the rest of the second week, it fades right back out into tiny dribble. This is a pretty normal blank run for the area when the weather patterns stall out. Nothing to get excited about for the kite surfers either, as it’s just too small.
Stay patient, folks.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 4°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 6 | E 10 | E 9 | NE 14 | NE 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
176 | 144 | 80 | 94 | 81 | 122 | 62 | 43 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 9:10AM1.84m | 9:32PM1.93m | 9:59AM1.80m | 10:18PM1.86m | 10:46AM1.75m | 11:03PM1.77m | 11:34AM1.69m | 11:49PM1.68m | 12:22PM1.62m | 00:36AM1.59m | 1:12PM1.56m | 1:26AM1.52m | 2:05PM1.52m | 2:19AM1.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:21PM0.09m | 3:52AM0.08m | 4:09PM0.16m | 4:38AM0.13m | 4:56PM0.24m | 5:22AM0.20m | 5:42PM0.33m | 6:07AM0.28m | 6:30PM0.42m | 6:53AM0.35m | 7:19PM0.49m | 7:42AM0.41m | 8:11PM0.55m | ||||||||
6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 9 |
Feels °C | 12 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | SE 6 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 7 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | NNW 4 | — | — | NE 14 |
176 | 144 | 63 | 94 | 47 | 122 | 62 | 43 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 16 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 10 | — | E 9 | E 10 | SE 4 | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | SE 4 | E 9 | E 12 | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | NE 14 | E 11 |
— | — | 31 | — | 81 | 92 | 1 | 4 | 4 | — | 1 | 7 | 3 | — | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 11 | N 11 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | — | — | E 12 | — | — | — | E 10 | E 6 | — | E 11 |
— | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | SSE 3 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | SW 3 | SSW 3 | — | SSE 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | 1 | 80 | 75 | 72 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 79 | 286 | 144 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 116 | 116 | 125 | 107 | 107 | 109 | 107 | 134 | 237 | 107 | 107 | 237 |
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.











