Whangamata Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.22° S 175.88° E

Whangamata Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Beach sea temperature is
15.3° C
0.6° 

Whangamata Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Whangamata Beach surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, NNW swell with 75 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with NNW 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s 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 1.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sun 23rd Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s
Best Surf 3PM (Sun 23rd Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sun 23rd Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for our local stretch.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next week and a half is a real tough stretch for paddle surfing. We're looking at a long, flat spell with barely a ripple. From now through to the end of August, the swell is tiny, mostly under 2 ft, and the energy readings are flat-lining, often in the single or double digits. It's going to be a frustrating wait.

The first real sign of life doesn't show up until Friday, the 28th of August. But hold your horses. We get a pulse of energy, with a combined swell energy of 514 (moderate) on Friday morning, building to a strong 2669 by the afternoon. The swell jumps to 7 ft, then 12 ft, but it's coming from the north-northeast with a short period of 8-9 seconds. The wind is a dirty cross-onshore, making it messy and choppy. This is a no-go for beginners, and even for experts, that 12 ft with onshore wind is a battle. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for a kite session than a surf session. The water temp is about average for the season at 60°F.

Now, here's the one glimmer of hope. Saturday, the 29th of August, is our standout. The swell drops to a much more manageable 5 ft from the northeast, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is still a solid 437 (moderate). The key here is the wind. We get a clean, light cross-offshore breeze from the west-northwest in the morning. This will groom the wave face nicely. For Whangamata Beach, this is the window to aim for. It's a fairly exposed beach, so that NE swell will find its way in. The crowd factor is listed as "sometimes," so you might have a few others with the same idea, but with the long flat spell, it should be fairly quiet. It's a beginner-friendly break, and 5 ft is a great size for that. The morning session is the pick.

After that, the energy drops back off quickly. Sunday the 30th sees smaller, weaker swell and a cross-shore wind, and by Monday the 31st, we're back to onshore winds and poor conditions. There's a small, clean swell on the 1st of September, but it's only 4 ft and the wind is strong and cross-off, making it lumpy.

So, the long and short of it: a brutal flat spell, one very messy, powerful day for experts or kites on the 28th, and then one clean, fun morning for all levels on the 29th. Don't sleep on that Saturday morning.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
10
0.4
SE
5
0.7
SE
4
0.3
E
8
0.3
E
8
0.4
E
11
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
9
0.2
E
9
0.1
E
9
0.1
NE
14
0.1
E
13
0.6
NNW
6
1
NNW
6
0.4
NNW
6
0.4
NNW
6
0.3
N
5
0.1
NE
11
0.1
NE
11
0.1
NE
10
0.1
E
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2
8
18
13
12
35
17
15
6
2
8
5
24
75
10
12
5
5
4
4
4
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
10
S
10
SSW
10
WSW
5
WNW
10
WSW
5
WSW
10
W
10
WNW
10
W
15
W
15
WNW
25
WNW
15
W
10
W
10
WSW
15
WSW
10
W
10
W
10
W
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:34AM1.69m
11:49PM1.68m
12:22PM1.62m
00:36AM1.59m
1:12PM1.56m
1:26AM1.52m
2:05PM1.52m
2:19AM1.47m
3:00PM1.50m
3:14AM1.46m
3:55PM1.51m
4:08AM1.46m
4:48PM1.55m
Low Tide
5:42PM0.33m
6:07AM0.28m
6:30PM0.42m
6:53AM0.35m
7:19PM0.49m
7:42AM0.41m
8:11PM0.55m
8:34AM0.45m
9:06PM0.57m
9:28AM0.45m
10:02PM0.56m
10:22AM0.43m
10:57PM0.52m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:47
5:49
 mm
1
Temp °C
11
13
9
12
14
11
14
14
12
15
16
13
14
14
12
15
17
11
15
17
10
Feels °C
5
9
5
10
12
8
11
11
9
10
12
9
9
12
10
12
13
8
12
14
7
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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