Whangamata Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. Look, I’m gonna level with you – the next couple of weeks at Whangamata Bar are a real test of patience. The forecast is mostly flat or tiny, and the few little bumps that show up just don’t have the juice to make it worthwhile. It’s a pretty grim run, and you’ll be waiting a long time before anything even comes close to being surfable.

The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

For the first nine days, from Tuesday the 1st right through to Wednesday the 9th, the surf is basically non-existent. We’re talking swell heights of 0.3 ft to 2 ft, with combined energy barely scraping past 50 (50) and often sitting in the teens. The period is short, around 6 to 10 seconds, and the wind, while occasionally offshore, just can’t do anything with such weak, tiny waves. It’s frustrating, but it is what it is.

Then, on Friday the 11th, we finally get a pulse. The morning sees a 5 ft swell from the NE with a combined energy of 157 (moderate), but the period is a short 6 seconds, making for pretty weak, disorganised waves. The wind is offshore, WSW at 12 mph, so it’s clean, but the conditions are still described as “very ordinary.” The afternoon picks up to 6 ft from the NE, energy jumps to 362, but the period is still short at 7 seconds, and the wind goes cross-offshore. Still not a standout.

Now, Saturday the 12th morning is the one window that might get your heart rate up. The swell jumps to 8 ft from the ENE, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 1502 – that’s strong to very strong wave energy. The wind is cross-offshore from the WSW at 16 mph, keeping it clean. But don’t get too excited. At 8 ft, this is expert territory, and the bar can get messy. The afternoon drops to 6 ft from the ENE, period 8 seconds, energy 459, still sizeable but not as punchy.

Sunday the 13th morning is one to consider with offshore WSW wind at 19 mph, a 4 ft swell from the NE, 9-second period, and energy of 283 (moderate). The wind is fresh offshore, so the waves will be clean, but it’s on the smaller side and the session is still rated as “marginal.”

After that, the surf drops back to tiny, sub-2 ft junk from Monday the 14th onwards, with some onshore winds and rain in the mix by the 16th. Honestly, the best chance you’ve got is that Saturday the 12th morning, if you’re an expert ready for some serious power. Even then, it’s a gamble. The rest of the run is a washout.

Rusty.

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