Whangamata Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what Whangamata Beach has on offer. The outlook starts from Saturday the 12th of September, and I’ve got to be straight with you—there’s a long, frustrating wait ahead before things get interesting.

First up, the first week is pretty flat. From Saturday the 12th right through to Wednesday the 16th, we’re looking at tiny 1ft to 1ft waves out of the NE with a nice long 12 to 13-second period, but there’s just no energy in the water (combined energy figures are down between 21 and 64). It’s clean enough—winds are mostly light offshore or glassy—but you’d be hard-pressed to get a ride. That’s a solid 5-day stretch of nothing worth paddling out for.

Then Thursday the 17th tries to pick up a bit, but it’s messy. By the afternoon we get a 4ft N swell with a short, weak period of 6 seconds and moderate cross-shore winds that chop things up. Energy is still weak (91). Not your friend.

Now, here’s where we get a real standout. Friday the 18th of September morning is the best of the whole window. Whangamata Beach gets a clean 6ft wave from the NNE, period 8 seconds, with light cross-offshore winds out of the SSE keeping the surface clean. The combined energy jumps to 337—that’s moderate strong energy for the spot. It’s a beach break that’s fairly exposed to the NE swell direction, which matches the optimum swell direction for this break. The wave size is just on the edge for average surfers—over 5ft—so it’s not for beginners, but it’s solid and fun for those who can handle it. Water temperature is about average for this time of year, no major anomaly flagged. Crowds can be around sometimes, so expect company.

Saturday morning the 19th gives another good option: 5ft from the NE, period 8 seconds, with a gentle offshore breeze out of the WSW keeping it clean. Energy is 292—still good fun, and the winds are offshore. This is a solid second pick, but the Friday morning setup just has that extra bit of energy and cleanness.

After the weekend, things drop off again. Sunday the 20th is a write-off with strong SE winds and lumpy chop. Monday the 21st offers small, weak 3ft waves with clean conditions but nothing to get excited about (energy 179). Then we hit another flat spell from Tuesday the 22nd through to Friday the 25th of September—tiny waves, with most readings under 2ft and next to no energy.

Finally, Saturday the 26th of September morning shows a 5ft swell from the ESE, period 6 seconds, with light cross-offshore winds. Energy hits 166—it’s surfable but short-period, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and weak. Again, not a standout, just something to wet the line.

So summary: the only day that really gets the heart pumping is Friday the 18th of September morning—that’s your standout. Saturday the 19th morning is a decent follow-up. For the rest, you’re looking at a lot of flat spells and ordinary conditions. The forecast might shift, but as it sits now, you know where to point the car.

- Rusty

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