
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Estuary surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, NE swell with 386 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period with ENE 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Estuary over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, this is a tough one. The swell window is just not cooperating for the Whangamata Estuary. We’ve got a whole lot of nothing for the first week and a half – a real flat spell. The first few days are blown out or just plain tiny, with poor surf conditions dominating. The water's sitting at 58°, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing weird there.
The best we can point to is a couple of days around the 15th and 16th. Saturday the 15th is the standout, but it's not a bark-about-it-from-the-rooftops standout. On Saturday morning, we see a 4ft swell rolling in from the ENE, with a light south wind making conditions clean. The energy is weak (140), but it's surfable. Then Saturday afternoon the wind goes glassy, a total flat spell for the paddle, with a 4ft ENE swell and a bit more period at 8 seconds. The energy is still weak (144), but it's the cleanest we'll get. Sunday the 16th is a step down with a 4ft ENE swell but a cross-shore wind that messes with the face.
After that, from the 17th through the 22nd, the swell totally vanishes. We're talking waves under 2ft for days. It's a desert. The 24th of August shows a little pulse of life, with a 3ft NNE swell and clean conditions in the morning, but the energy is still weak (132). The 25th and 26th have similar small, clean options, but nothing to get excited about.
Honestly, for an inconsistent spot like this, a blank run like this is just part of the deal. We're waiting on a proper push. Keep an eye on the 24th through the 27th – there's a hint of something, but it's a long way out and the confidence is low.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 5°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
220 | 188 | 257 | 321 | 153 | 135 | 88 | 85 | 150 | 134 | 138 | 138 | 227 | 151 | 53 | 22 | 31 | 20 | 27 | 24 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 6:11PM1.90m | 6:31AM1.80m | 7:05PM1.96m | 7:27AM1.83m | 7:56PM1.98m | 8:19AM1.85m | 8:45PM1.97m | 9:10AM1.84m | 9:32PM1.93m | 9:59AM1.80m | 10:18PM1.86m | 10:46AM1.75m | 11:03PM1.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:51AM0.10m | 00:29AM0.19m | 12:48PM0.06m | 1:25AM0.12m | 1:41PM0.04m | 2:17AM0.08m | 2:32PM0.05m | 3:06AM0.06m | 3:21PM0.09m | 3:52AM0.08m | 4:09PM0.16m | 4:38AM0.13m | 4:56PM0.24m | ||||||||
7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | |
mm | — | 3 | 18 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 5 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 |
3 | 188 | 257 | — | 153 | 135 | 88 | 85 | 150 | 134 | 138 | 138 | 227 | 151 | 23 | 20 | 31 | 20 | 27 | 24 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 12 | E 14 | N 11 | ESE 6 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 12 | — | — | — | ENE 8 | ESE 8 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
— | 3 | 4 | 3 | 33 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 53 | 22 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 13 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | NE 8 | — | E 13 | E 12 | — | — | — | NE 12 | N 12 | — | N 11 | E 10 | — | N 9 |
— | — | — | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | NE 7 | ESE 5 | — | SSE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | SSW 2 | — |
220 | 96 | 88 | 321 | 46 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 21 | 31 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 77 | 110 | 110 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 64 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 63 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 186 | 106 | 114 | 106 |
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.











