Whangamata Bar Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.20° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Bar sea temperature is
14.9°C
0.3° 

Whangamata Bar surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, NNE swell with 263 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period with N 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s is also forecast. 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 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 3PM. 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 (Sep 13) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Fri 18th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 6s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 18th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 6s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 18th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks at Whangamata Bar.

Right off the bat, it’s a slow start. We’re looking at a solid five-day gap with nothing really worth paddling out for. The first real chance of a wave doesn’t show up until Friday morning, 18th September.

When it finally arrives, it’s not much to write home about. That Friday brings a pulse of swell, about 5ft from the NNE, but the period is a short, weak 7 seconds. The combined energy is 202 (moderate energy), so there’s a bit of push, but it’s going to be lumpy and messy. The wind is cross-off from the NW, so it’ll be better than a full onshore, but don’t expect any gems. This one’s for the intermediate crew who are just keen for a paddle.

The real standout in this entire forecast – and I mean the only one – is Monday morning, 19th September. We get a cleaner picture with a 4ft swell from the NNE, period up to 8 seconds, and solid WSW winds blowing offshore at 12 mph. Combined energy is 172 (moderate). That offshore wind will polish the surface up nicely, making it the cleanest session on offer. It won't be firing, but for the Bar, with consistent offshore flow, it’ll be the best you’ll get out of this window. Worth setting the alarm for.

After that little pulse, things drop off a cliff. From Monday afternoon onward, the swell fades back to tiny 1ft or less, with energy readings in the double digits. The rest of the week stays weak and pathetic. From the 22nd through the 28th, you’d be fighting for a ripple. Offshore winds are there, but with swell heights barely hitting 0.7ft and periods of 3 to 6 seconds, combined energy is basically zero.

No major water temp anomalies here, so that’s one less thing to worry about. But overall, this is a pretty grim outlook. If you need a fix, that Monday morning is your only real shot. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the NNE by Thu night).

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NE
13
0.3
NE
13
0.3
NE
13
0.3
NE
13
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.2
ENE
13
0.3
NE
11
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.2
ENE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.2
ENE
12
1.1
NNE
5
1.5
NNE
7
1.6
NNE
7
1.3
NNE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
44
26
27
25
23
23
25
18
20
25
25
15
23
22
13
64
186
263
173
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
25
WSW
20
SW
5
WSW
10
WSW
10
SW
15
WSW
5
SSW
10
NE
15
WSW
10
WSW
15
WSW
10
WNW
5
NNW
15
NNE
30
N
15
NW
25
N
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
7:58AM1.83m
8:18PM1.89m
8:45AM1.83m
9:02PM1.85m
9:29AM1.81m
9:45PM1.79m
10:13AM1.76m
10:28PM1.71m
10:57AM1.70m
11:12PM1.63m
11:43AM1.63m
11:57PM1.56m
Low Tide
1:52AM0.09m
2:10PM0.13m
2:37AM0.08m
2:56PM0.16m
3:20AM0.11m
3:41PM0.22m
4:02AM0.16m
4:25PM0.28m
4:45AM0.23m
5:09PM0.36m
5:28AM0.31m
5:54PM0.44m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:18
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:05
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:08
 mm
6
1
2
Temp °C
12
15
16
11
15
17
10
14
15
11
16
16
12
14
16
14
14
14
11
Feels °C
6
10
11
9
12
14
6
12
13
8
14
12
10
12
13
9
9
9
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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