Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Estuary sea temperature is
14.6° 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 3 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, NNW swell with 297 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sun 9th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s
Best Surf 3AM (Sun 9th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sun 9th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 7s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's break down what's cooking for the Whangamata Estuary over the next couple of weeks.

First off, I gotta be straight with you – the next week and a half is a bit of a struggle. There's a long dry spell for decent waves. The first few days, from Tuesday the 4th of August right through to around Saturday the 8th of August, we're looking at tiny, weak ankle-snappers. The swell is barely 0.7ft, and while the winds are light or offshore, keeping the water clean, there just isn't any push. The combined energy is sitting in the teens and twenties (24-29), which is about as weak as it gets.

Then we get a slight tease on Sunday the 9th of August. A punchy little NNW windswell bumps up to 6ft in the morning, but the period is a short 7 seconds and the wind picks up, making it a messy, marginal affair. The energy jumps to 449 though, which is a sign of something trying to happen. The afternoon cleans up beautifully with a glassy Northerly wind and a 3ft wave, but it's still a short period windswell with a 1/10 score. It's surfable, but you'll have to work for it.

Honestly, the week that follows is pretty grim. Onshore winds, rain, and small, weak swells are the story. The setup looks more interesting for a kite than a paddle board for most of that time.

Now, here's the one that’s got my attention. Look ahead to Saturday the 15th of August. The morning is a bit average with a 5ft NE swell and cross-shore wind. But the afternoon... the afternoon cleans up to glassy conditions. The swell drops slightly to 4ft, but it's from the ENE, which is in the optimal direction for this spot. With a period of 9 seconds and a combined energy of 298, it's got some proper grunt. This is the standout of the whole forecast. The wind is dead calm, so it'll be as clean as a whistle. Just remember, this is a long-range call, so it's a promising look but not a lock.

Bottom line: The first week is a write-off. Most of the second week is a write-off, too. But that Saturday, the 15th of August, is the one to circle. It's the only time the stars align for a proper session.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 4°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
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
1
1
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
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
12
0.8
SE
5
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
11
0.1
E
18
0.2
E
6
0.1
E
16
0.1
E
16
0.1
E
16
0.1
NE
15
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
14
0.2
E
13
1.7
NNW
7
1
N
7
0.7
N
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
15
15
15
29
14
14
12
7
5
5
5
5
8
4
4
14
297
102
41
Wind (km/h)
25
WSW
25
SW
20
SSW
15
S
15
SSW
10
SW
5
SW
5
SW
5
SW
10
W
10
WSW
10
W
5
WNW
10
NW
15
NW
15
NNW
20
NW
0
NNE
5
SSE
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
High Tide
10:09PM1.77m
10:33AM1.65m
10:51PM1.76m
11:19AM1.66m
11:36PM1.74m
12:09PM1.66m
00:25AM1.72m
1:04PM1.67m
1:21AM1.70m
2:04PM1.69m
2:22AM1.69m
3:08PM1.72m
Low Tide
4:32AM0.24m
4:44PM0.29m
5:15AM0.23m
5:30PM0.31m
6:00AM0.22m
6:20PM0.34m
6:51AM0.23m
7:15PM0.36m
7:46AM0.23m
8:15PM0.37m
8:46AM0.22m
9:20PM0.36m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:07
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:34
5:35
5:36
 mm
6
12
5
Temp °C
12
13
13
7
8
10
8
9
10
9
11
13
9
14
14
13
13
12
11
Feels °C
7
7
7
1
3
6
5
7
7
6
8
10
6
10
10
9
10
12
9
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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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