
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, NNW swell with 355 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period with NNW 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 04) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s is also forecast. 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 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, we’re in for a long, quiet stretch. The first real surf I can get excited about doesn’t show up until Monday the 7th of September, and even then it’s a bit of a mess. Before that, from now through the weekend, there’s just nothing worth paddling out for – tiny 0.7ft to 3ft slop, mostly from the ENE or N, with periods all over the shop and cross-off winds. Save your wax.
Come Monday morning the 7th, Whangamata Bar starts to show a pulse. We’ve got a 6ft swell pushing in from the NNW, but the period is a short, fat 7 seconds. That’s going to be a bit of a washing machine – the combined energy is strong at 531, but the quality isn’t there. Winds are light and cross-off, so it’s not blown out, but the wave shape will be lumpy. Monday afternoon drops to a cleaner 3ft from the north with a light offshore, but the energy is moderate at 135. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Tuesday morning the 8th holds similar waist-high stuff from the NNE with moderate energy (101), but it’s still nothing to write home about.
We then hit another dry spell. From Wednesday the 9th right through until Tuesday the 15th, it’s back to tiny, weak energy – mostly under 2ft, with periods that are either too short or too long for the beach/bar setup. The ENE swells in the second week have periods up to 14 seconds, but the height is only 0.7ft to 1ft, so there’s no push. The winds are mostly offshore or clean, which is a tease.
Now, here’s the one real standout. On Wednesday the 16th of September, the bar fires up in the morning. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell from the NNW, a short period of 8 seconds, but the combined energy is massive at 921 – that’s a lot of water moving. The wind is a clean offshore from the west at 15 km/h (9 mph), which will keep the faces smooth. This is proper size, good for experienced surfers only; beginners will want to sit this one out. Given it’s a beach/bar break, that short period and big energy might make for some shifting, dumpy peaks, but with that offshore wind, it’s the best shot we get. After that, it fades fast into the afternoon with a 2ft leftover.
The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual to report there. Whangamata Bar can be inconsistent, and this forecast proves it – lots of waiting, but one morning of proper grunt if you’re keen and skilled.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | ENE 10 | N 6 | N 7 | N 6 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | N 5 | NNW 7 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | E 5 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | 10 | 47 | 61 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 26 | 355 | 127 | 104 | 96 | 75 | 42 | 16 | 13 | 65 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:14PM1.76m | 11:49AM1.74m | 00:07AM1.72m | 12:46PM1.72m | 1:05AM1.68m | 1:48PM1.71m | 2:09AM1.65m | 2:53PM1.72m | 3:16AM1.65m | 3:57PM1.76m | 4:21AM1.68m | 4:58PM1.81m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:37AM0.18m | 6:03PM0.31m | 6:30AM0.21m | 7:01PM0.34m | 7:28AM0.23m | 8:03PM0.36m | 8:30AM0.25m | 9:09PM0.36m | 9:34AM0.24m | 10:15PM0.32m | 10:37AM0.21m | 11:16PM0.25m | |||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | N 7 | N 6 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | N 7 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | E 5 | NE 8 |
10 | 10 | 10 | 61 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 168 | 127 | 104 | 96 | 75 | 42 | 16 | 13 | 65 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 10 | E 15 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | N 5 | N 5 | — | — | N 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 16 | NE 16 | NE 17 | ENE 8 | NNE 6 | ENE 14 |
2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | E 18 | E 16 | — | E 8 | E 14 | E 5 | NE 8 | NE 14 |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | N 5 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
4 | 16 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 26 | 355 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 237 | 237 | 170 | 0 | 127 | 246 | 246 | 242 | 242 | 242 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 67 | 67 | 0 |
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.










