Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period, E swell with 118 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period with E 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Bar in the next 16 days are 0.8m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) 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 0.7m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, it’s a quiet stretch ahead at Whangamata Bar. The wave energy is weak for the most part, with the combined energy sitting between 3 and 187 (weak to low-moderate) for the entire run. We’ve got a long gap of poor conditions right through from Monday afternoon of the 17th all the way to the end of the month. Short period swells, small heights, and a mix of cross-off, glass, and offshore winds will keep the water clean, but the lack of size means there’s nothing really worth paddling out for.
The one true standout, and it’s a long way off, lands on Saturday the 29th of August. That morning we see a jump to 5 ft swell from the north, with a period of 8 seconds and combined energy of 309 (moderate). The wind is cross-shore from the south at 6 mph, which is light, so it’ll be a bit bumpy but workable. This is more of a hopeful look for experienced surfers—size is borderline for beginners, and the northerly swell isn’t quite the optimum NE direction for the bar, but it’s the best we’ll see. The water temperature is 60°, which is 1° above the long-term average—pretty normal for this time of year.
Later that same Saturday afternoon, the swell drops to 4 ft from the north-northeast, but it goes glassy with a light easterly breeze. That’ll be clean, but the energy drops to 202 (moderate) and the period stays short at 8 seconds. It’s very ordinary, but the best of a very flat run.
After that, Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st slip back into tiny, weak surf with onshore winds, so nothing to get excited about.
So, if you’re desperate, circle Saturday the 29th of August. Everything else is a flat, clean, but ultimately forgettable stretch. Keep an eye on the forecast—it might improve, but right now, it’s a wait-and-see kind of situation.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 13 | N 6 | N 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
81 | 121 | 61 | 44 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 22 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 4 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:18PM1.86m | 10:46AM1.75m | 11:03PM1.77m | 11:34AM1.69m | 11:49PM1.68m | 12:22PM1.62m | 00:36AM1.59m | 1:12PM1.56m | 1:26AM1.52m | 2:05PM1.52m | 2:19AM1.47m | 3:00PM1.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:38AM0.13m | 4:56PM0.24m | 5:22AM0.20m | 5:42PM0.33m | 6:07AM0.28m | 6:30PM0.42m | 6:53AM0.35m | 7:19PM0.49m | 7:42AM0.41m | 8:11PM0.55m | 8:34AM0.45m | 9:06PM0.57m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 13 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 9 | E 6 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | — | NE 14 | — | NNW 5 | N 6 | NE 10 |
44 | 121 | 61 | 44 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 6 | 22 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 2 | — | 8 | — | 3 | 16 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | N 11 | SE 4 | NE 10 | — | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 5 | E 9 | E 12 | — | E 10 | E 9 | E 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 |
81 | 2 | 1 | 4 | — | 2 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 11 | — | NE 10 | E 8 | NE 10 | N 10 | — | — | — | N 10 | N 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 9 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 13 |
— | — | 4 | — | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | — | SW 3 | — | SW 3 | SSW 2 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 2 | NW 2 | NW 3 | WNW 2 | NNW 6 |
62 | — | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 36 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 179 | 161 | 186 | 109 | 107 | 6 | 109 | 109 | 125 | 195 | 195 | 237 | 237 | 237 | 242 | 242 | 23 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Coromandel | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











