Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Estuary sea temperature is
14.3° C
0.5° 

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


Whangamata Estuary surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, N swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, N swell with 475 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period with N swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whangamata Estuary this week:

The surf forecast for Whangamata Estuary over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 Estuary in the next 16 days are 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 9th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 6s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 9th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 7s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 10th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 7s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let's take a look at what's on the cards for our patch.

We're in for a bit of a rough ride for the first week or so. The surf is small, messy, and the wind is all wrong. There are a few decent waves on the horizon, but it's going to take some patience to get to them. The water temperature is sitting at about 58°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

Whangamata Estuary is the only game in town for the next few days. Starting Sunday morning (August 9th), we've got a weak 3 ft N swell with a short period of 5 seconds. The combined energy is a measly 53 (weak), and with a 12 mph cross-off wind, it's not doing us any favours. The whole of Sunday is a write-off. Monday (August 10th) sees a slight lift to 4 ft from the NNE with a period of 8 seconds and a light offshore breeze. It's rideable, but it's ordinary. The energy is moderate (207). Tuesday morning (August 11th) is the closest we get to clean for a while with a glassy 3 ft NNE swell, but the energy is low (87) and it's still not firing. The rest of the week is a battle with poor conditions as strong cross-onshore winds and rain roll in from Wednesday through to Friday. The swell does push up to 5 ft on Wednesday afternoon, but with a messy 7-second period and strong winds, it's a full-on chop fest. The energy is strong (237) but wasted.

Now, here's the standout. Saturday, August 15th. That's the one to circle. The morning brings a clean 4 ft swell from the ENE with a solid 9-second period. The wind will be offshore from the West at 12 mph, and the energy is strong (351). The afternoon stays clean with a 4 ft swell and a similar 9-second period, still with a moderate offshore breeze. This is the best we'll see for a while. The waves will have some shape and punch.

After that, it goes quiet again. Sunday the 16th drops back to poor conditions, and the rest of the second week is a slow decline into tiny, weak surf. There are a few moments with a glassy surface on the 21st, but the swell is tiny and the period is short. The run from the 18th through the 24th is mostly flat with some small, unappealing waves.

So, get on it Saturday the 15th, because that's your window. Otherwise, it's a long wait.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
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
2
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
N
5
1.1
N
6
2.1
N
7
1.2
NNE
8
1
NNE
8
0.9
NNE
8
0.8
NNE
8
0.9
NNE
8
0.8
NNE
8
1.4
NE
6
1.6
NE
7
1.9
NE
7
1.4
NE
7
1.1
NE
6
1.1
NE
6
1.2
NNE
6
1.2
NE
6
1.3
NE
7
1.3
ENE
9
1.1
NE
9
1.2
NE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
33
89
475
192
137
104
79
83
85
138
234
375
181
91
80
103
120
184
286
189
242
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
20
NNW
10
S
10
WSW
10
WSW
10
WSW
5
SW
10
ESE
20
NE
25
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
20
N
15
N
10
N
5
SE
10
WNW
20
W
25
WSW
20
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
off
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
glassy
off
off
off
off
High Tide
3:08PM1.72m
3:27AM1.70m
4:11PM1.77m
4:31AM1.72m
5:13PM1.84m
5:33AM1.76m
6:11PM1.90m
6:31AM1.80m
7:05PM1.96m
7:27AM1.83m
7:56PM1.98m
8:19AM1.85m
8:45PM1.97m
Low Tide
9:20PM0.36m
9:48AM0.19m
10:25PM0.32m
10:51AM0.15m
11:29PM0.26m
11:51AM0.10m
00:29AM0.19m
12:48PM0.06m
1:25AM0.12m
1:41PM0.04m
2:17AM0.08m
2:32PM0.05m
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:40
 mm
1
11
24
2
11
5
1
7
4
3
11
Temp °C
14
13
12
13
16
10
12
12
13
13
12
14
17
17
15
13
13
13
13
14
12
Feels °C
11
10
11
11
13
7
10
10
9
8
8
10
15
15
12
11
13
10
10
9
8
  • 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 Estuary Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Whangamata Estuary provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Whangamata Estuary can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Whangamata Estuary 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 Estuary) 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 Estuary 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 Estuary is 56 km (35 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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