
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 16s period, ESE swell with 48 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whangamata Bar this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Bar in the next 16 days are 0.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here, and I gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat for the most part. We're looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak waves, so don't be in a rush to get the wettie on. The first real chance of anything worth paddling out for doesn't arrive until the very end of the period.
The first record kicks off on Friday the 17th of July, but it's a horrible start. Whangamata Bar is seeing tiny 0.7ft to 1ft of easterly swell with a very long period of 17-18 seconds. The combined energy is a measly 40. It's cross-off wind, but the swell is too gutless to do anything with.
This flat spell hangs around for days. The whole weekend of the 18th and 19th stays tiny, with a bit of offshore wind but nothing to surf. The water temp is about 59°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Moving into the next week, we get a window of glassy conditions on Tuesday the 21st of July in the afternoon, with the wind going dead calm. But the swell is still only 2ft from the ENE with a short period of 6 seconds, and the energy is a very weak 31. It's not enough to get excited about.
We see a few more glassy mornings and light offshore sessions right through the 22nd to the 29th of July, but every single one is haunted by the same problem – the swell is basically non-existent. The heights are all around 0.3ft to 0.7ft, and the combined energy rarely gets out of single digits. It's a heartbreaking run of flat, clean conditions.
Finally, we get a glimpse of something. On the 30th of July, Thursday morning, there's a little 2ft pulse from the north, combined energy of 25. It's a short period windswell at 5 seconds, but the wind is light cross-off. Then Thursday afternoon goes glassy, with the same 2ft north swell. It's still weak, but it's the best we've seen. Then Friday the 31st of July morning has a similar 2ft from the ESE with clean offshore winds. The energy is 32. It's nothing special, but it's surfable.
The very best of a bad bunch shows up on the 1st of August. Saturday morning and afternoon both show 1ft to 1ft from the ENE and NE, with a period of 15 seconds, which is a very long groundswell. The combined energy climbs to 93. The wind is light cross-off. The conditions are described as "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." For this area, that's the pinnacle. The long period will make the waves break a bit straight at the beach, but it's the only rideable swell in the whole outlook.
Because this spot is a beach/bar setup that's inconsistent, this kind of blank run is a bit more normal for the area. It's a tough watch, but the forecasts can change. Right now, if you're desperate, the 1st of August is the only day to even think about it, but keep expectations on the floor.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 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) | E 18 | ESE 17 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | NE 4 | E 10 | E 10 | E 12 | NE 10 | N 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
24 | 55 | 43 | 37 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:09PM2.02m | 9:31AM1.84m | 10:00PM1.98m | 10:25AM1.79m | 10:49PM1.91m | 11:17AM1.74m | 11:38PM1.82m | 12:09PM1.68m | 00:27AM1.72m | 1:01PM1.62m | 1:16AM1.63m | 1:54PM1.57m | 2:06AM1.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:53PM-0.00m | 3:30AM0.07m | 3:45PM0.04m | 4:21AM0.09m | 4:36PM0.11m | 5:11AM0.12m | 5:26PM0.21m | 5:59AM0.18m | 6:16PM0.30m | 6:47AM0.25m | 7:06PM0.40m | 7:35AM0.32m | 7:57PM0.47m | ||||||||
7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | ESE 17 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | N 7 | N 7 | — |
12 | 55 | 43 | 37 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 18 | NE 10 | E 18 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | N 9 | N 8 | E 12 | NE 10 | N 8 |
24 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | — | NE 10 | E 17 | — | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 10 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 10 | — |
4 | — | 4 | 5 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 | WSW 2 | SW 3 | SW 3 | — | E 4 | ENE 4 | ESE 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 132 | 154 | 154 | 107 | 107 | 107 | 107 | 107 | 6 | 109 | 195 | 216 | 161 | 107 | 237 | 237 |
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.










