Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, NNW swell with 604 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. 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 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The outlook for your local water is a bit of a patience game. The first week or so is pretty flat and quiet, with only small, weak swell that won’t get you too excited. The real action, and I mean the only standout, builds towards the end of the second week, but it comes with a big caveat.
Whangamata Bar (beach/bar) is our only game in town for this 16-day run. The water is sitting at about 59°F, which is pretty much normal for the time of year, so no surprises there.
For the first week, from Tuesday 1st September through to Thursday 10th September, it’s a long stretch of small, weak waves. The combined energy is mostly under 100 (often in the teens and twenties), which is really weak. We’re talking ankle to knee high stuff, barely moving. The wind does go offshore a few times, especially on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, which would make it pretty clean, but there just isn’t any power to work with. The swell is short period too, mostly under 10 seconds, so it’s poor quality. It’s a real desert.
Then we get a little glimmer. Friday 11th September morning sees a bit of life: a 1ft swell from the NE, with a period of 10 seconds and a gentle offshore wind. The combined energy is still low at 55, so it’s "surfable but very ordinary." Not a standout, but at least you might get a tiny one.
The big one comes in on Sunday 13th September. The swell jumps up to 8ft in the morning from the ENE, with a period of 8 seconds and a combined energy of 921 (strong). By the afternoon it’s pumping 10ft from the ENE, with a combined energy of 1548 (very strong). This is the most significant swell of the entire outlook. But here’s the thing: the wind is light and cross-onshore, creating a bit of chop. At 10ft, this is expert territory only – way too big for beginners and even intermediates. The short period (8 seconds) means it’s a windswell, not the cleanest groundswell, and for a beach/bar setup, these conditions can get messy. The crowd factor is "sometimes" here, but with that size, you can bet a few chargers will be out. That morning of the 13th might be the best call if you’re an experienced surfer, looking for a challenge.
After that, Monday 14th sees the swell drop but the wind picks up, turning it choppy. The rest of the week is a mix of small, messy waves and a few glassy moments on the 16th, but nothing that compares to that Sunday pulse.
So, to keep it real: if you’re an expert, the 13th of September is the one to circle. It’s the only true standout, but it’s a heavy one. For everyone else? It’s a long wait for a small reward. The blank run is pretty normal for this setup when the ocean goes quiet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sat night, fresh winds from the W by Mon morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | N 7 | N 6 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | N 4 | N 6 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
33 | 23 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 51 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 64 | 527 | 260 | 150 | 46 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:42PM1.82m | 10:10AM1.76m | 10:26PM1.80m | 10:57AM1.76m | 11:14PM1.76m | 11:49AM1.74m | 00:07AM1.72m | 12:46PM1.72m | 1:05AM1.68m | 1:48PM1.71m | 2:09AM1.65m | 2:53PM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:04AM0.15m | 4:23PM0.24m | 4:48AM0.15m | 5:11PM0.27m | 5:37AM0.18m | 6:03PM0.31m | 6:30AM0.21m | 7:01PM0.34m | 7:28AM0.23m | 8:03PM0.36m | 8:30AM0.25m | 9:09PM0.36m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 10 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | N 7 | N 6 | N 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 |
33 | 23 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 51 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 258 | 260 | 150 | 46 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | NE 11 | NW 5 | N 5 | N 10 | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 11 | N 5 | — | — | ENE 10 | — | — | E 10 |
2 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 10 | 10 | 11 | 2 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | E 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | N 5 | N 6 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | N 4 | N 6 | NNW 8 | WSW 3 | W 3 | S 4 |
4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 34 | 3 | — | — | — | 14 | 64 | 527 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 127 | 216 | 216 | 237 | 165 | 216 | 237 | 237 | 179 | 246 | 0 | 127 | 225 | 225 | 246 | 266 | 252 | 237 | 2 | 0 |
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.











