Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, NNE swell with 298 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period with NNE 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 (Aug 29) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Bar in the next 16 days are 1.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 3AM. 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next two weeks at Whangamata Bar are a real mixed bag, and honestly, there’s not a lot to get stoked about. The forecast is mostly a run of poor conditions, with only a few fleeting moments that might be worth a paddle. Don’t expect any epic sessions; this is more about picking the least ordinary windows.
The best of what’s on offer is actually the very start. Saturday, 29th August, kicks off with a bit of hope. The morning session sees a 5ft swell from the north with a short, punchy 6-second period, and the combined energy is moderate at 229. The wind is a light 10 km/h cross-off from the NNW, so the surf will be clean. Afternoon gets even better – glassy conditions with a 5 km/h ESE breeze, though the swell drops to 4ft from the NNE at 7 seconds (143 energy). It’s surfable, but it’s not going to blow your mind. The water’s sitting at 59°, which is pretty average for this time of year. This is your best shot all weekend, so if you’re keen, make it Saturday.
Then we hit a big lull. From Sunday, 30th August, all the way through to Friday, 4th September, the surf is labelled “poor” across the board. The wind is up, mostly strong cross-off breezes, and the swell drops to tiny, messy waves. Sunday morning has a 4ft NNE swell but with 35 km/h winds – that’s a write-off. The rest of the week is a flat, blown-out mess. It’s a solid 6-day gap with nothing worth recommending.
There’s a tiny flicker on Friday afternoon, 4th September. The swell bumps up to 4ft from the NNW, but it’s only 6 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate at 186. The wind is a moderate 20 km/h offshore from the WNW, so it’ll be clean. The wave comment is “surfable but very ordinary.” It’s not great, but it’s the only other window in the first week.
After that, it’s back to the doldrums. From 5th September through to 13th September, the swells are tiny – mostly 0.7ft to 3ft – with short periods and poor scores. The wind is often cross-off or offshore, but there’s just no size to work with. The combined energy rarely hits triple digits, and most of the time it’s well under 100, meaning weak wave energy. The 11th September has a 1ft swell from the NE with a very long 12-second period (69 energy) and offshore wind, but it’s too small to do anything with. That long period would make it a gutless wall at a beach break anyway.
Honestly, this is a tough run. The Bar is inconsistent at the best of times, and this forecast shows why. If you’re a beginner, Saturday’s 4-5ft swell is fine for you, but the rest is too small or too windy. For experts, there’s nothing here that’ll get the heart pumping. If you’re into kiting, those windy days with moderate swell might be more interesting than paddling out.
So, bottom line: Saturday, 29th August is the one day to pin your hopes on. After that, it’s slim pickings until the forecast might change. Keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 55mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NNW 6 | N 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
153 | 143 | 270 | 243 | 135 | 172 | 76 | 35 | 33 | 55 | 42 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 127 | 24 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:41PM1.77m | 8:00AM1.68m | 8:20PM1.80m | 8:42AM1.72m | 9:00PM1.82m | 9:25AM1.75m | 9:42PM1.82m | 10:10AM1.76m | 10:26PM1.80m | 10:57AM1.76m | 11:14PM1.76m | 11:49AM1.74m | 00:07AM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:29PM0.25m | 1:59AM0.25m | 2:12PM0.23m | 2:40AM0.20m | 2:54PM0.22m | 3:21AM0.16m | 3:37PM0.22m | 4:04AM0.15m | 4:23PM0.24m | 4:48AM0.15m | 5:11PM0.27m | 5:37AM0.18m | 6:03PM0.31m | ||||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | 4 | 22 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NNW 5 | ENE 10 | N 6 | N 7 |
76 | 143 | 270 | 243 | 135 | 172 | 76 | 35 | 33 | 55 | 42 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 20 | 49 | 24 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | N 6 | N 6 | N 8 | — | — | SW 4 | N 11 | NNW 5 | ENE 10 | N 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
— | — | — | — | 67 | — | — | 8 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 2 | 10 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | NNE 8 | — | — | — | N 6 | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | — | S 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | — | WSW 3 | — | NW 2 | — | NNW 5 | N 6 | NNW 6 | SW 3 |
153 | — | 3 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 2 | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 19 | 22 | 127 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 132 | 140 | 23 | 6 | 154 | 28 | 108 | 116 | 237 | 237 | 165 | 216 | 237 | 78 | 237 | 0 | 6 |
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.











