Whangamata Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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.

Read more