
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Estuary surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, NE swell with 371 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. 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 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Estuary over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Right, Rusty here again. Let’s talk feet and miles.
First thing’s first: it’s quiet out there. Real quiet. We don’t get any solid surf until Wednesday, July 8th. Tuesday, July 7th, you got 4ft of messy, short-period NE windswell with a cross-onshore breeze – total junk. Tuesday afternoon jumps to 7ft, but the wind’s still cross-on and it’s only marginal. Skip it.
Wednesday morning, July 8th, is our first real shot. A light cross-offshore breeze cleans up a 5ft NE swell. Water temp is 60°F, right about average for July, so no surprises. The energy is solid (442) but the period is short at 8 seconds, so it’s a windswell. Still, with those clean conditions, it’s a good option for a intermediate surfer. Wednesday afternoon drops to 3ft from the east, but still clean with a 10-second period and energy of 473 – a fun little session.
Thursday morning, July 9th, the swell drops to 3ft east, 10 seconds. Clean with light cross-off winds but weak energy (166). Calls it “surfable but very ordinary.” After that, we hit a flat spell that lasts over a week – from Thursday afternoon all the way to the morning of Wednesday, July 16th. You’re looking at 1ft to 3ft waves with poor conditions day after day.
The only other blip comes Thursday afternoon, July 16th. A 5ft NNW swell with a 7-second period and an offshore breeze from the WNW gives us clean, punchy waves and strong energy (418). That’s the second best window in a long, dry stretch. Then it’s back to tiny leftovers for the rest of the forecast.
The standout is Wednesday, July 8th morning at Whangamata Estuary – 5ft NE swell, clean cross-off wind. It’s an inconsistent spot and crowds are possible, but when it’s clean like that, it’s your best bet. Thursday, July 16th afternoon is a long-range hope, but less certain.
Stay patient, wait for that clean window, and don’t bother paddling out until then.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
128 | 575 | 285 | 314 | 194 | 158 | 122 | 122 | 98 | 92 | 71 | 61 | 96 | 109 | 64 | 65 | 44 | 59 | 15 | 13 | 24 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:44AM1.56m | 00:03AM1.70m | 12:34PM1.58m | 00:51AM1.69m | 1:29PM1.61m | 1:44AM1.70m | 2:27PM1.65m | 2:43AM1.71m | 3:27PM1.71m | 3:44AM1.74m | 4:28PM1.78m | 4:45AM1.77m | 5:28PM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:54PM0.36m | 6:29AM0.29m | 6:43PM0.38m | 7:17AM0.27m | 7:36PM0.38m | 8:10AM0.23m | 8:35PM0.37m | 9:07AM0.20m | 9:37PM0.35m | 10:06AM0.15m | 10:40PM0.30m | 11:07AM0.10m | 11:43PM0.24m | ||||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | 9 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | N 10 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | E 9 |
69 | 356 | 285 | 314 | 171 | 158 | 122 | 122 | 98 | 92 | 71 | 61 | 96 | 94 | 64 | 65 | 44 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 24 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | — | ENE 8 | N 13 | N 13 | — | — | N 11 | N 10 | E 12 | E 9 | E 8 | NE 11 |
76 | 69 | 80 | 128 | 194 | 74 | 35 | 19 | 16 | — | 6 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 12 | — | N 8 | — | NNE 9 | NE 9 | — | NE 9 | N 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | NE 12 | E 10 | NE 9 |
— | — | 45 | — | 108 | — | 8 | 12 | — | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 8 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 8 | — | — | — | SW 3 | SSE 2 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 4 | ESE 10 | ESE 3 | SSE 4 | — | E 9 | ENE 4 | — | NNE 3 |
128 | 575 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 7 | 60 | 32 | 17 | 35 | 9 | 109 | 4 | 2 | — | 59 | 11 | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 106 | 106 | 106 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 2 | 51 | 59 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 26 | 2 | 106 | 4 | 106 | 23 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Coromandel | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










