Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, E swell with 149 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 3AM (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 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. 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 0.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the cards at Whangamata Bar for the next couple of weeks.
I’ve got to tell you, it’s a slow start. The first ten days are mostly flat or tiny. We’re talking waves under knee-high, short period, and weak energy readings – most days are in the weak zone, way under 100 on that combined energy scale. There’s a long gap with no real surf to speak of. The water temp is about 59°, pretty average for this time of year.
This spot is inconsistent, and this stretch proves it. The only glimmer comes right at the tail end.
The one to target is Sunday, August 30th. That afternoon the swell picks up to about 2ft from the northeast, with a 10-second period, and it’s glassy – dead calm wind. That’s a real positive. The energy reading finally bumps up to a moderate 107, the first meaningful surf we’ve seen. The morning of the 30th is also glassy with 2ft waves from the same direction. That’s your best bet for a clean, if small, session.
The next day, Monday the 31st, pushes up to 2ft, but the wind goes cross-shore and it gets messy again. So that Sunday window is the clear standout. Keep in mind at a beach/bar break like this, a 10-second period swell can sometimes lack shape, but with glassy conditions, it’ll be rideable.
So, the bottom line: the first week and a half is a no-go. Pencil in Sunday, August 30th for some clean, small waves. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only real shot in this 16-day window. The long-range call is promising but not locked in.
Hang in there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 4°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 6 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 8 | E 6 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | NNW 5 | NE 14 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 155 | 106 | 121 | 61 | 44 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 18 | 28 | 17 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:59AM1.80m | 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 | 4:09PM0.16m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  |  | | | |
 | 6:58 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 12 |
Feels °C | 5 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 4 | E 10 | ESE 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 9 | E 5 | — | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | 94 | 106 | 121 | 61 | 44 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 1 | — | 5 | 2 | 18 | 28 | 17 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | ESE 6 | N 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | E 10 | SE 4 | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 10 | E 5 | E 8 | E 9 | NE 14 | E 12 | E 13 | E 12 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 5 | 28 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | NE 10 | SE 5 | E 6 | — | — | — | E 8 | E 9 | — | — | E 13 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | E 12 |
| kJ | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | S 5 | WSW 2 | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | — | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 |
| kJ | 155 | 16 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 116 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 154 | 161 | 36 | 109 | 107 | 107 | 109 | 109 | 195 | 237 | 195 | 237 | 242 | 243 | 237 | 237 | 78 |
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.
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