Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Beach surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, NNW swell with 140 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period with ENE 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Beach in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. I’m gonna be straight with you – for the next week or so, things are looking pretty flat and uninspiring. There’s a real gap here at the start, with almost nothing worth paddling out for. The first real sign of life doesn’t show up until Sunday the 30th of August.
We’re looking at Whangamata Beach for the whole run. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild there.
The early part of the week is a write-off. Tiny, weak swell with hardly any energy behind it. You’ll see a few inches here and there, but the wind is often cross or cross-off, and the wave comment is just “poor surf conditions” day after day. Not worth the wax.
Thursday the 27th afternoon, we finally get a little bump. Swell around 3ft from the ENE, with a period of just 5 seconds. That’s short period, windswell stuff. The energy reading is 81, which is weak. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Friday the 28th morning, we get a 3ft swell from the NNE, also 5 seconds, and the wind goes glassy – that’s borderline. The combined energy is 93, still weak. It’s the best of a bad lot early on, but it’s not a standout.
The real standout, the only one worth circling on your calendar, is Sunday the 30th of August afternoon. The swell jumps to 6ft from the NNW, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy of all swells directed here hits 491 (moderate wave energy). That’s a solid pulse. The wind is a light breeze from the west, which is a clean cross-off. This is the best on offer by a long shot. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions”. For a beach break, it’s going to be a bit fat and sectiony on that 7-second period, but the size and clean wind will make for some fun, punchy waves. It’s a beginner-friendly size, but just watch the rip if it gets a bit more powerful.
After that pulse, it drops back down. Monday the 31st has some knee-high leftovers, and the rest of the run into early September is mostly small, weak, and often choppy or windy. The 4th of September has a glassy morning, but the swell is only 0.7ft, so it’s a flat, glassy morning for a paddle, not a surf.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a dud. The window is Sunday the 30th of August afternoon. That’s your one shot at some decent, clean, head-high waves. After that, it’s back to flat spells. Crowds are possible at Whangamata, so you might have some company on that Sunday.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | E 8 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 7 | N 6 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 12 | E 11 | N 13 | N 13 | NE 10 | E 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
7 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 46 | 44 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 44 | 45 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:26AM1.52m | 2:05PM1.52m | 2:19AM1.47m | 3:00PM1.50m | 3:14AM1.46m | 3:55PM1.51m | 4:08AM1.46m | 4:48PM1.55m | 5:00AM1.49m | 5:35PM1.60m | 5:49AM1.53m | 6:19PM1.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:42AM0.41m | 8:11PM0.55m | 8:34AM0.45m | 9:06PM0.57m | 9:28AM0.45m | 10:02PM0.56m | 10:22AM0.43m | 10:57PM0.52m | 11:13AM0.39m | 11:47PM0.46m | 12:01PM0.34m | 00:34AM0.39m | |||||||
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | NE 14 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | N 7 | N 6 | N 5 | — | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | E 5 | E 5 | ENE 5 |
7 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 44 | 6 | 2 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 33 | 45 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | E 7 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | E 12 | NE 11 | NE 12 | NE 11 | E 11 | E 12 | E 11 | NW 4 | N 13 | — | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
2 | — | 1 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 11 | NE 10 | — | NE 10 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | — | — | — | N 13 | N 13 | E 10 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 2 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | W 2 | WSW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | — |
— | — | — | 1 | 8 | 46 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 114 | 195 | 238 | 237 | 238 | 242 | 127 | 165 | 241 | 238 | 217 | 238 | 241 | 237 | 242 | 159 | 106 | 0 | 7 |
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.











