Whangamata Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The outlook for your local water is a bit of a patience game. The first week or so is pretty flat and quiet, with only small, weak swell that won’t get you too excited. The real action, and I mean the only standout, builds towards the end of the second week, but it comes with a big caveat.

Whangamata Bar (beach/bar) is our only game in town for this 16-day run. The water is sitting at about 59°F, which is pretty much normal for the time of year, so no surprises there.

For the first week, from Tuesday 1st September through to Thursday 10th September, it’s a long stretch of small, weak waves. The combined energy is mostly under 100 (often in the teens and twenties), which is really weak. We’re talking ankle to knee high stuff, barely moving. The wind does go offshore a few times, especially on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, which would make it pretty clean, but there just isn’t any power to work with. The swell is short period too, mostly under 10 seconds, so it’s poor quality. It’s a real desert.

Then we get a little glimmer. Friday 11th September morning sees a bit of life: a 1ft swell from the NE, with a period of 10 seconds and a gentle offshore wind. The combined energy is still low at 55, so it’s "surfable but very ordinary." Not a standout, but at least you might get a tiny one.

The big one comes in on Sunday 13th September. The swell jumps up to 8ft in the morning from the ENE, with a period of 8 seconds and a combined energy of 921 (strong). By the afternoon it’s pumping 10ft from the ENE, with a combined energy of 1548 (very strong). This is the most significant swell of the entire outlook. But here’s the thing: the wind is light and cross-onshore, creating a bit of chop. At 10ft, this is expert territory only – way too big for beginners and even intermediates. The short period (8 seconds) means it’s a windswell, not the cleanest groundswell, and for a beach/bar setup, these conditions can get messy. The crowd factor is "sometimes" here, but with that size, you can bet a few chargers will be out. That morning of the 13th might be the best call if you’re an experienced surfer, looking for a challenge.

After that, Monday 14th sees the swell drop but the wind picks up, turning it choppy. The rest of the week is a mix of small, messy waves and a few glassy moments on the 16th, but nothing that compares to that Sunday pulse.

So, to keep it real: if you’re an expert, the 13th of September is the one to circle. It’s the only true standout, but it’s a heavy one. For everyone else? It’s a long wait for a small reward. The blank run is pretty normal for this setup when the ocean goes quiet.

Rusty.

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