Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Estuary sea temperature is
14.9° C
0.2° 

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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, ENE swell with 108 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whangamata Estuary this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Estuary in the next 16 days are 1.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful12AM (Tue 21st Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 7s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got to be straight with you – the next two weeks around Whangamata Estuary are looking pretty grim. There’s a real dry spell on the cards, and the first decent surfable wave isn’t showing up until Monday, 3 August. That’s a solid two-week wait with nothing but tiny, weak mush and poor surf conditions. It’s the kind of stretch where you save your wax and just watch the tide.

The first hint of anything rideable comes on Monday morning, 3 August, at Whangamata Estuary (this is a beach/bar setup). We’re looking at a tiny 1ft swell from the NE, with a period of 14 seconds. That long period gives it a bit of shape potential, but the combined wave energy is still only 99 – very weak. There’s a light offshore breeze from the WSW, so the surface will be clean. The water temperature is about what you’d expect for the time of year – nothing wild. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” and honestly, that’s about the best you’ll get. The swell direction is ENE, which is the optimum for this spot, but it’s just too small to get excited about. This is a beginner-friendly break, and it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect much.

Before that? Rough. Sunday, 19 July through to Sunday, 2 August is a total write-off. Most days have 0.7ft to 2ft of swell with periods all over the place, from 3 seconds to 13 seconds, but the energy is tiny – often in the single digits or low teens. Winds are a mix of cross-off, cross-on, and even some glassy moments, but it doesn’t matter when there’s no push. The surf is always “poor surf conditions,” with a score of zero out of ten. Tuesday afternoon, 21 July, goes glassy with 2ft, but it’s still too weak to ride. Crowds are only “sometimes” an issue here, and that’s about the only positive – you’ll have the place to yourself.

So, the standout? You’ve only got one: Monday morning, 3 August. It’s not a standout by any stretch, but it’s the only window where you might get a limp ankle-biter. The long period (14 seconds) means the sets will be spaced out, making paddling easier, but the wave height is barely 1ft. The offshore wind will keep it clean, but this is more of a “stretch the arms” session than a proper surf. If you’re a beginner, you might find a tiny ripple, but anyone else should just stay home. The break is inconsistent anyway, so this blank run isn’t surprising for the area.

Hang in there – forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
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
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)
0.2
E
14
0.2
E
13
0.2
E
13
0.1
E
12
0.2
E
12
0.5
E
4
1
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
5
0.5
ENE
5
0.4
ENE
5
0.1
E
11
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
11
0.1
N
7
0.2
E
8
0.3
E
7
0.8
N
5
0.7
N
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
14
13
14
3
11
6
108
29
14
8
2
2
2
2
1
5
9
34
36
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
WSW
10
SSW
10
ESE
15
SE
20
SE
5
SSE
0
NNE
10
WSW
10
W
10
WSW
5
SW
5
SW
5
N
5
WNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
25
SW
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
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
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
 mm
1
9
6
1
2
Temp °C
11
15
15
12
12
11
11
11
12
10
13
13
11
13
13
11
14
14
12
Feels °C
7
11
11
10
9
8
8
9
11
7
10
11
9
12
11
10
10
10
11
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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