Whangamata Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for Whangamata Bar over the next couple of weeks. The pattern is pretty quiet to start, with a real lull hanging around until mid-July. The first ten days or so are a write-off—small, messy, and not worth getting wet for. The good news is, toward the end of the run, a solid pulse of swell arrives that could make the wait worthwhile.

Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th are no-go. Tiny waves around 2 ft to 2 ft, cross-shore wind at 15 to 22 mph, and a lot of chop. Combined energy is weak to moderate at best (151 on Thursday afternoon, dropping to 109 and 79 on Friday). Just not on.

Saturday the 11th sees a bit of hope—morning brings a light SSW breeze, 6 mph, cross-offshore, and 2 ft of east swell. Clean conditions but the energy is still moderate (128). It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The afternoon turns cross-onshore, so morning only.

Sunday 12th is tiny, just 1 ft to 2 ft with mixed glassy patches. Not enough push. From Monday 13th through to Thursday 16th, it’s flat or near-flat, with only 0.7 ft to 2 ft of swell, and combined energy dropping to single digits or low double digits. The glassy moments are pretty but useless.

Friday 17th afternoon, we get a tiny 1 ft east groundswell but with a period of 16 seconds—very long lines, but no size. Clean and cross-offshore, but barely a ripple.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday the 19th of July: morning brings 7 ft of NNE swell, with a 7-second period, light offshore from the WSW at 6 mph. Combined energy jumps to 403—moderate, but solid. By afternoon, it’s 10 ft from the NNE, 8-second period, still light offshore. Energy ramps to 867. This is going to be big, powerful, and clean. That’s expert territory, too big for beginners.

Monday the 20th is the standout. Morning delivers 7 ft NNE swell at 11 seconds, glassy with a light SW breeze. Combined energy is 1840—strong. Afternoon picks up to 8 ft NE at 11 seconds, cross-offshore from the NW, and energy hits 2522. These are excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The swell direction (NE) matches the optimum direction (NE) nicely. Clean, lined-up, and pushing hard. Whangamata Bar is a beach/bar break, and with that long period, expect well-shaped, powerful sets with longer waits between them. The paddle out should be easier between sets. Crowds are “sometimes” an issue here, so expect company, especially on a Monday.

Tuesday the 21st keeps the quality: 8 ft NE swell at 10 seconds, glassy in the morning, cross-offshore in the afternoon. Energy is 1812 and 1076—still strong to very strong. Very good to excellent. By Wednesday the 22nd, it drops back to 3 ft and onshore winds return, ending the run.

Water temp is 60°F with an anomaly of +0.5°F—pretty average for July. Not cold, not warm.

The best of the whole window is Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st. The swell is big, the wind is clean or glassy, and the direction is right up the guts for Whangamata Bar. For experienced surfers only—this is not a beginner’s day. If you’re keen, mark that Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st.

Stay safe, and I’ll see you in the lineup.

Rusty.

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