
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Beach surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, NNE swell with glassy 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, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with NNE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whangamata Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Whangamata Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Beach 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-onshore 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 Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Rusty here again, looking at the same stretch for the imperial crew.
Let’s be real, it’s a grim outlook for Whangamata Beach. We’re looking at a long, quiet period, with hardly anything worth a mention for over a week. The wind is offshore a lot early on, which is usually a good sign, but with swell heights barely scraping 1 foot and energy readings in the 20-30 range, it’s dead flat. Tuesday the 15th morning is almost glassy, but that 0.6ft swell from the ENE with a 13-second period – all that long-period groundswell on a beach break like this will just wash through without any shape. It’s a heartbreaker.
We finally get a bit of life around Friday the 18th of September. The swell pops up to 4.9ft to 5.2ft from the NNE, but the period is a short, lumpy 7 seconds. The combined energy gets into the mid-200s, so there’s some power, but the wind on Friday is onshore and choppy – no good. Saturday the 19th is the only decent window. The morning is clean with a cross-offshore breeze, the swell drops a little to 3.9ft from the NNE, and the period stretches to 8 seconds. The energy is still moderate at 172. By the afternoon, the wind goes clean offshore from the WSW, and the swell shifts to the NE. The energy climbs to 237, and it’s described as surfable but ordinary. That’s your best shot, Saturday afternoon.
After that, the wave heights fade back under 3ft, and while the wind stays good, the energy drains out into the 50s and below. There’s a long, quiet stretch from mid-next week right through to the end of the period, with nothing but tiny waves and weak energy. This is one of those blank runs that happens in this area.
Your best bet for a paddle: Aim for the afternoon of Saturday the 19th of September at Whangamata Beach. It’s not going to be firing, but you’ll get clean 3.9ft waves from the NE with a solid offshore breeze keeping the surface smooth. Water temp feels pretty average for this time of year. It’s just a chance to get out there and move. Expect a few other folks in the water.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 13 | NE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | NNE 5 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
44 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 13 | 64 | 186 | 263 | 173 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | 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 | |||||||
— | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | — | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 11 | NE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 |
44 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 12 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 263 | 173 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 13 | NE 13 | E 4 | E 4 | NE 10 | NE 4 | NE 4 | E 12 | E 12 | E 15 | NE 11 | E 12 |
14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 16 | N 15 | — | N 14 | E 15 | E 4 | — | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 4 | — | — | N 9 | — | — | E 13 | — |
5 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — | — | W 3 | NNW 2 | N 3 | NNE 5 | NNE 7 | — | — |
5 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 64 | 186 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 24 | 77 | 187 | 115 | 195 | 207 | 115 | 106 | 207 | 217 | 237 | 237 | 195 | 115 | 123 | 241 | 2 | 106 | 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 Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Whangamata Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Whangamata Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Whangamata Beach 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 Beach) 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 Beach 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 Beach is 58 km (36 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.










