Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, N swell with 83 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with NNW 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 23) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let's chew the fat on what Whangamata Bar is serving up.
Honestly, the first week and a half is pretty grim. We're looking at a long stretch of tiny, gutless swell. The water temp is about 59°F, which is dead average for this time of year.
From today, Thursday the 20th of August, all the way through the 27th, it's mostly ankle-to-knee-high stuff. Swell heights are barely hitting 1ft, and the combined wave energy is under 20 (weak energy). Winds are often light and offshore, so the surface will be clean, but with a short-period east-northeast swell, there's just no push.
We get a bit of a pulse on Friday the 28th of August. A north swell bumps up to 6ft, but the period is a short 7 seconds, making it weak and lumpy. The combined energy hits 369 (moderate energy), but a strong north crosswind at 12-15 mph is going to chop it up bad. For a beach/bar setup, this looks more like a kite-surfing day than a paddle session. Only experts should even look at it.
Things settle back into the 2ft range from the 29th of August through the 1st of September. Winds turn more favorable, often offshore, so the conditions get cleaner. The swell shifts to the east-northeast, and by Monday the 31st of August, the period stretches out to 11 seconds. The energy is still low, but you'll find some ordinary, surfable waves.
The pick of a pretty quiet period is Tuesday the 1st of September. Swell holds at 2ft from the east-northeast, period around 10 seconds, with a clean offshore wind from the west-southwest. Combined energy is 89 (weak energy), so it's not pumping, but the conditions will be clean and rideable. The Bar is inconsistent, and you'll find crowds sometimes, so you might score a quiet one.
We drop back into small stuff after that. Thursday the 3rd of September shows a 4ft pulse from the north, but the wind turns onshore in the afternoon. Friday the 4th is flat again.
There's no proper standout in this 16-day window. If you're desperate, aim for the 1st of September for the cleanest little waves. Otherwise, it's a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NNW 6 | N 7 | N 6 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | E 11 | N 13 | N 13 | NE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 35 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 62 | 49 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 00:36AM1.59m | 1:12PM1.56m | 1:26AM1.52m | 2:05PM1.52m | 2:19AM1.47m | 3:00PM1.50m | 3:14AM1.46m | 3:55PM1.51m | 4:08AM1.46m | 4:48PM1.55m | 5:00AM1.49m | 5:35PM1.60m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:53AM0.35m | 7:19PM0.49m | 7:42AM0.41m | 8:11PM0.55m | 8:34AM0.45m | 9:06PM0.57m | 9:28AM0.45m | 10:02PM0.56m | 10:22AM0.43m | 10:57PM0.52m | 11:13AM0.39m | 11:47PM0.46m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | NW 4 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | N 7 | N 6 | N 5 | — | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 35 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 49 | 6 | 2 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 9 | — | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 10 | NE 12 | N 6 | NE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 2 | — | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 7 | E 11 | NE 10 | E 10 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | N 13 | N 13 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 2 | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | W 2 | WSW 2 | — | WSW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 15 | 62 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 109 | 109 | 195 | 113 | 195 | 237 | 237 | 237 | 243 | 0 | 127 | 217 | 237 | 237 | 237 | 242 | 242 | 272 | 107 |
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.
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