
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, N swell with 114 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s 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 1.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight up about what's coming our way at Whangamata Bar. The honest truth is, this forecast is a tough one for paddle surfers. We're looking at a long stretch of small, weak swell and tricky conditions. The main issue is the consistent lack of any decent wave energy. For the most part, the combined energy of the swells is in the low double digits, and even the best pulse we see only hits 141 (moderate energy at best) on Monday the 7th. That's a one-off, and it's not enough to get excited about.
So, starting out on Monday, September 7th, we have a pulse of 4ft swell from the north, but it's only got a 7-second period and the wind is a cross-off from the NNW. The wave comment says it all: "poor surf conditions." Monday afternoon looks a bit more interesting on paper with 6ft from the north, but the wind is still messy and the rating is marginal. The water temp is sitting at 59°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
From Tuesday the 8th all the way through to the end of the forecast on September 22nd, it's a grim picture. Swell heights drop below 3ft, and for most of that period, they're sitting at a pathetic 0.7ft or 1ft. The wind does turn clean and offshore from the SW and WSW, especially on the mornings of the 13th, 16th, and 19th, but with no swell behind it, you're just looking at a glassy, flat ocean. The combined energy values are mostly in the single or low double digits, confirming there's just no power in the water. Periods swing wildly from short 4-5 second wind slop to long 13-15 second pulses, but again, with no height, that long period groundswell energy is completely wasted here. This setup is all about the beach break, so those long period swells would just break too straight and close out, even if they had any size.
The standout? There isn't one. There is literally no recommended surf in this entire 16-day window. The model shows a blank run of poor conditions from start to finish. While it's a bit of a bummer, Whangamata Bar can be inconsistent, so this isn't completely out of the ordinary. For a bit of context, with that significant swell on Monday afternoon and the poor quality, if you're into kite surfing, that might be more interesting than trying to paddle. But for the rest of us? It's a waiting game. Forecasts can change, but right now, I'd be looking at other plans.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | ENE 15 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | ENE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
138 | 397 | 111 | 66 | 61 | 29 | 8 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 47 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 44 | 27 | 16 | 27 | 26 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:53PM1.72m | 3:16AM1.65m | 3:57PM1.76m | 4:21AM1.68m | 4:58PM1.81m | 5:22AM1.72m | 5:53PM1.86m | 6:18AM1.77m | 6:44PM1.90m | 7:10AM1.81m | 7:32PM1.91m | 7:58AM1.83m | 8:18PM1.89m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:09PM0.36m | 9:34AM0.24m | 10:15PM0.32m | 10:37AM0.21m | 11:16PM0.25m | 11:36AM0.17m | 00:13AM0.18m | 12:31PM0.14m | 1:04AM0.12m | 1:22PM0.12m | 1:52AM0.09m | 2:10PM0.13m | 2:37AM0.08m | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNW 5 | ENE 9 | NE 13 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 13 | ENE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 |
3 | 203 | 111 | 66 | 61 | 29 | 8 | 8 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 4 | 33 | 42 | 24 | 20 | 15 | 27 | 16 | 27 | 26 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 9 | E 9 | SE 4 | SE 4 | NE 17 | N 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 14 | ENE 14 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 8 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
— | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 47 | 44 | 43 | 18 | 42 | 42 | 44 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 18 | E 16 | NE 16 | NE 16 | E 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 15 | E 4 | — | E 7 | ENE 8 | N 5 | SE 4 | NNE 13 | NE 16 | NE 12 | — | N 15 | E 17 | — |
— | 6 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 1 | — | 1 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 5 | — | 4 | 5 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 8 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | — | SSE 4 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | WSW 3 |
138 | 397 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | — | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 139 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 67 | 125 | 56 | 6 | 23 | 0 | 127 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 78 | 216 | 233 | 127 |
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.










