Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Estuary surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period, E swell with 141 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period with NE 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. 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 0.8m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Estuary over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you – this 16-day window for the Whangamata Estuary is a total dud. There's not a single session worth paddling out for. I've looked it over, and it's just one flat, messy day after another. The spot itself is an inconsistent beach/bar setup that's already a gamble, and right now the cards are all stacked against us.
Right from the start, Saturday 18 July through the whole next week, we're looking at tiny swell – mostly 0.7 ft to 1.0 ft – with barely any energy. The combined energy values are all below 100 (like 45, 22, 15) – that's weak, lifeless stuff. Winds are mostly cross-off or cross-on, sometimes glassy, but the waves are just too small and gutless to do anything with. Water temp sits at 59°F, which is about average for the time of year, but that's about the only thing that's normal.
There's a tiny uptick around Friday 24 July morning when the swell bumps to 3 ft from ENE, with a period of 8 seconds and combined energy hitting 125 – still only moderate. It's surfable but very ordinary, and the wind goes glassy early, then gets messy. That's the closest we get to a pulse, but it's not enough to get excited about. The same goes for the morning of 31 July and 1 August – a little more size (1.0 ft to 1 ft) and longer period (16–18 seconds), but the energy is still weak (80–84) and the waves are tiny. For a break that's already inconsistent, this is a classic blank run – nothing unusual for the area.
Honestly, if you're dead set on getting wet, you'd be better off chasing a different region. This one's a washout. Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 37 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 77 | 42 | 22 | 15 | 25 | 41 | 23 | 25 | 50 | 103 | 96 | 129 | 135 |
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-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:31AM1.84m | 10:00PM1.98m | 10:25AM1.79m | 10:49PM1.91m | 11:17AM1.74m | 11:38PM1.82m | 12:09PM1.68m | 00:27AM1.72m | 1:01PM1.62m | 1:16AM1.63m | 1:54PM1.57m | 2:06AM1.56m | 2:47PM1.54m | 2:58AM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:45PM0.04m | 4:21AM0.09m | 4:36PM0.11m | 5:11AM0.12m | 5:26PM0.21m | 5:59AM0.18m | 6:16PM0.30m | 6:47AM0.25m | 7:06PM0.40m | 7:35AM0.32m | 7:57PM0.47m | 8:24AM0.37m | 8:50PM0.52m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — |
 | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 4 | E 12 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 37 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 42 | 22 | 15 | 25 | 41 | 23 | 25 | 50 | 103 | 96 | 129 | 135 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | NE 4 | N 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 11 | ENE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 23 | 2 | 29 | 17 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 17 | — | — | — | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | E 12 | E 11 | N 9 | ESE 11 | N 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 2 | WSW 2 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | — | ESE 3 | — | ENE 7 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | N 5 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | — | 77 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 17 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 26 | 49 | 156 | 156 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 26 | 9 | 106 | 106 | 113 | 106 | 106 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 125 | 62 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Coromandel | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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