Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, N swell with 150 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s 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 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Bar in the next 16 days are 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 9PM. 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 3s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, switchin' to feet and miles now. Grab a coffee, let me tell it straight. I'm Rusty, and I've had a good look at the Whangamata Bar forecast.
Honestly, this is a tough stretch to call. We've got a long dry spell of really weak surf ahead. The swell energy is tiny, basically non-existent for the first week and a half, with combined energy values sitting well under 100 (often below 30). The water temp is sittin' around 59°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year—nothin' weird goin' on there.
From now through to the 25th of September, the swell heights barely touch 3 ft, and most of the time they're a pathetic 0.7 ft or 1.0 ft. Periods are all over the shop—some long-period stuff from the ENE, but the swell direction is mostly ENE or NE, which ain't the optimum NE we'd want for the Bar. Winds are generally cross-off or offshore, especially on Wednesday the 16th with WSW winds at 6 mph, so the surface will be clean, but there's just nothin' to ride.
The first proper stand-out that catches my eye is the morning of Thursday the 24th of September. You'll see a 3 ft swell from the SE with a short 6-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 57. It's still weak, but it's the best lookin' bit in the whole run. The wind is a light cross-off WSW breeze at 9 mph, which should keep it clean enough for a paddle. It ain't big and ain't long, but for the Bar, which is inconsistent, this is the one chance to get wet on a shortboard.
After that, it fades straight back to nothin'—0.7 ft and weaker—with a bit of glassy action again on Friday the 25th afternoon and light airs, but again, no real swell.
So the call is this: the first eight days are a total write-off. Thursday the 24th morning offers a brief, slim window of surfable but ordinary conditions. If you're desperate for a paddle and don't mind tiny, short-period waves, that's your only shot. The rest is flat, flat, flat.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 13 | NE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | N 5 | N 7 | N 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 10 | ENE 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | E 15 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 18 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 57 | 114 | 36 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:29AM1.81m | 9:45PM1.79m | 10:13AM1.76m | 10:28PM1.71m | 10:57AM1.70m | 11:12PM1.63m | 11:43AM1.63m | 11:57PM1.56m | 12:32PM1.57m | 00:46AM1.49m | 1:24PM1.52m | 1:40AM1.44m | 2:20PM1.49m | 2:37AM1.42m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:41PM0.22m | 4:02AM0.16m | 4:25PM0.28m | 4:45AM0.23m | 5:09PM0.36m | 5:28AM0.31m | 5:54PM0.44m | 6:13AM0.38m | 6:43PM0.50m | 7:02AM0.44m | 7:35PM0.55m | 7:55AM0.47m | 8:31PM0.57m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 11 | NE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | N 7 | N 7 | NE 8 | NNE 7 | NE 9 | NE 10 | ENE 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | — | E 10 | E 13 | E 13 |
| kJ | 12 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 13 | 114 | 36 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 5 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | E 4 | — | — | NE 10 | E 9 | E 13 | E 10 | ENE 11 | NE 11 | N 7 | NE 8 | — | E 12 | N 7 | E 9 | E 11 | N 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 18 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 10 | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | NE 13 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | — | N 11 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 11 | NE 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 15 | E 14 | E 10 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 2 | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | N 4 | N 5 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | WSW 2 | WSW 2 | WSW 3 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 57 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 107 | 246 | 237 | 237 | 237 | 125 | 237 | 139 | 2 | 6 | 216 | 132 | 127 | 237 | 237 | 132 | 127 | 165 | 216 | 237 | 165 |
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.
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