Whangamata Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Whangamata Beach.

Right off the bat, it’s a bit of a slow start. The next few days are looking pretty flat with hardly any energy in the water, so don’t bother rushing down there just yet. The combined swell energy is barely registering – we’re seeing values like 28 and 22 (moderate breeze) – and the waves are tiny, around 0.7 ft to 3 ft. It’s a real quiet spell, so you’re better off waxing your board or checking the tide pools.

The first real chance to get wet doesn’t come until Monday the 7th of September. Monday morning brings a bit of a pulse with a 6 ft swell from the NNW, but the period is a short 7 seconds and there’s some light rain around. The combined energy jumps to 531 (moderate to strong), but the conditions are described as "marginal." It’s more of a messy, peaky beach break that might be a bit lumpy for a paddle. The afternoon cleans up a bit with a 3 ft north swell, and a light cross-off wind from the west, making it smooth enough for a surf. It’s nothing special, but it’s surfable.

Through the middle of the week, from Tuesday the 8th to Thursday the 10th, the waves are small and weak, staying under 3 ft, but the wind is the real story. We’re getting clean offshore or cross-off breezes from the WSW and SW, around 9 mph. The water is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The conditions are “clean” and “gentle offshore and clean,” but with such tiny swell (combined energy in the 80-100 range), it’s really just a longboard or a foiler session. The standout in this stretch is Thursday afternoon the 10th – a 1 ft NE swell with a very long 14 second period. That’s groundswell, and it’s clean with a light cross-off breeze. The energy is only 72 (weak), but for a little log, it’ll be glassy and fun.

Now, the big one is coming. Mark your calendars for Wednesday the 16th of September. The morning is looking like the best on offer across the whole 16-day window. Whangamata Beach is firing with a 8 ft swell from the NNW, 8 second period, and combined energy of 921 (strong). The wind is a light 9 mph from the west, which is a clean cross-off. That’s 8 ft of solid, punchy beach break – it’s getting into the "too big for beginners" territory, but for any intermediate to advanced surfer, that’s a proper session. The water is clear, and the crowd factor is worth noting: this spot can get busy, so expect company. It’s one of those rare days where the forecast lines up, and it’s a real standout.

After that, the swell drops off again quickly. The rest of the second week is mostly small, clean conditions with 0.7 ft to 3 ft waves and long period groundswells (12-14 seconds) from the ENE. The energy is weak (below 50), and the wind stays offshore or cross-off. It’s pretty, but not for surfing unless you’re on a stand-up paddle board or a kite. In fact, with the consistent offshore winds and small, clean waves, a few of those days might be more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.

Keep your eyes on that Wednesday the 16th. That’s the one.

Rusty.

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