Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Bar surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, NNE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, NNE swell with 523 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period with NNE 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 8s period. 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 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Bar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, checking in on the local scene. We've got a bit of a flat spell on the horizon, so don't rush to wax up just yet.
Let's be straight with you, for the next few days, it's looking pretty grim. We're stuck with small, weak windswell and poor conditions. The combined wave energy is barely registering, sitting at just 6 (for Thursday morning), which is about as weak as it gets. Winds are light and offshore early Thursday morning, but with only 0.3 ft of swell, there's nothing to ride. That trend sticks with us through the weekend; we get a bump in height but it's all messy, cross-shore wind and rain. By Saturday afternoon, the swell hits 6 ft from the north, but the energy jumps to 514 (moderate wave energy) and the onshore winds chop it to pieces – a real mess.
The only real hope in this entire 16-day window is a brief window on Monday, the 31st of August. It’s not a standout by any stretch, but it's the best we've got. We’re looking at a clean, offshore breeze from the WSW blowing at a solid 16 mph. The swell will be from the NE, a long period groundswell of 9 seconds, but only 2 ft on offer. The energy is a low 61, so it’s weak. This setup will be pretty ordinary, but the wind will make it clean enough for a longboard or a foamie. After that, it drops back into the doldrums.
Honestly, for most of the next two weeks, you can hang the wetsuit up. The waves just don't have any power. The wind is often strong or onshore, and when it's off, the swell is too tiny to bother with. There's a few days with strong offshore winds but the swell never catches up. This is one of those stretches where the forecast can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.
Alright, stay patient. The ocean will wake up eventually.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 10 | N 12 | NE 4 | E 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4 | 4 | 7 | 25 | 31 | 37 | 103 | 437 | 344 | 175 | 147 | 129 | 59 | 46 | 57 | 59 | 57 | 41 | 36 | 25 | 25 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 6:19PM1.66m | 6:34AM1.58m | 7:01PM1.72m | 7:18AM1.63m | 7:41PM1.77m | 8:00AM1.68m | 8:20PM1.80m | 8:42AM1.72m | 9:00PM1.82m | 9:25AM1.75m | 9:42PM1.82m | 10:10AM1.76m | 10:26PM1.80m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:01PM0.34m | 00:34AM0.39m | 12:46PM0.29m | 1:18AM0.32m | 1:29PM0.25m | 1:59AM0.25m | 2:12PM0.23m | 2:40AM0.20m | 2:54PM0.22m | 3:21AM0.16m | 3:37PM0.22m | 4:04AM0.15m | 4:23PM0.24m | ||||||||
6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | — | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 |
4 | 4 | 4 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | 344 | 175 | 147 | 129 | 59 | 46 | 57 | 59 | 57 | 41 | 36 | 25 | 25 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 7 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | NW 5 | N 6 | N 6 | NE 12 | — | — |
— | — | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | N 12 | — | NE 7 | N 11 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | — | — | — |
2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 4 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | WSW 2 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | — | W 2 | WNW 2 | WNW 3 |
— | — | 7 | 5 | 31 | 37 | 103 | 437 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 116 | 124 | 107 | 237 | 242 | 110 | 107 | 46 | 2 | 4 | 224 | 154 | 23 | 154 | 154 | 0 | 8 | 113 | 195 | 154 | 170 |
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.











