Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Estuary surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, ENE swell with 61 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 0.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Estuary over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s have a look at what’s happening at Whangamata Estuary.
To be straight with you, the first week or so is pretty dead. There’s nothing worth paddling out for until we get towards the end of July. The surf is tiny, the energy is weak, and the wind keeps messing things up. From Tuesday the 14th right through to almost the end of the following week, it’s all small, weak swell with poor surf conditions. The wave heights barely get above 2ft, and the combined swell energy is weak, barely reaching 39 to start. There’s a solid 10-day stretch where it’s not worth bothering.
But things start to turn around Thursday the 23rd. We get a little bump to 5ft from the NE, and by Friday morning the 24th the conditions really clean up. The wind goes glassy, the period stretches to 11 seconds, and the energy jumps to 474. That’s the first real sign of life.
The standout—the one you want to mark on your calendar—is Saturday the 25th into Sunday the 26th. Saturday morning brings 6ft of NE groundswell with an 11-second period and glassy conditions. The combined energy is pumping at 776. By Saturday afternoon, the swell pushes to 7ft from the ENE with a 12-second period and the energy rockets up to 1101. That’s serious power for this spot. Sunday morning holds that same energy with 7ft ENE swell at 12 seconds and clean cross-off winds. If you’re an experienced surfer, this is your window. The wave heights are pushing into expert territory, but the glassy conditions and that long-period groundswell will produce proper shaped waves at the estuary. Just a heads up, crowds are listed as “sometimes” so you might have some company, but it’s usually not too bad.
After that, Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th still offer decent waves, with Tuesday morning seeing 6ft E swell at 12 seconds and glassy conditions—another good morning for a session. The energy stays strong around 902.
The water temp is 59°, pretty average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
Bottom line: the first week is a dud, but the last few days of July into early August shape up nicely. That Saturday and Sunday standout is your best bet—solid swell, clean conditions, and plenty of energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tue 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 5 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 13 | E 12 | E 18 | E 17 | ESE 17 | ESE 15 | ESE 16 | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 12 | E 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 27 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 55 | 44 | 48 | 21 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 35 | 23 | 16 | 12 | 22 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | glassy | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 6:27PM1.94m | 6:45AM1.85m | 7:23PM1.99m | 7:42AM1.87m | 8:17PM2.02m | 8:37AM1.86m | 9:09PM2.02m | 9:31AM1.84m | 10:00PM1.98m | 10:25AM1.79m | 10:49PM1.91m | 11:17AM1.74m | 11:38PM1.82m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:43AM0.18m | 1:04PM0.01m | 1:41AM0.12m | 1:59PM-0.01m | 2:37AM0.08m | 2:53PM-0.00m | 3:30AM0.07m | 3:45PM0.04m | 4:21AM0.09m | 4:36PM0.11m | 5:11AM0.12m | 5:26PM0.21m | 5:59AM0.18m | ||||||||
 |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 |
 | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | 5:21 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | E 13 | E 12 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 17 | ESE 15 | ESE 16 | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 |
| kJ | 27 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 27 | 13 | 13 | 55 | 44 | 48 | 21 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 11 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | NNE 4 | N 4 | E 18 | E 17 | NE 10 | E 18 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 7 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 23 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | N 4 | — | — | NE 10 | — | N 7 | — | N 9 | N 8 | — | N 10 | — | — | N 9 |
| kJ | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 | — | — | WSW 2 | SW 2 | — | SE 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 4 | E 5 |
| kJ | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 35 | 23 | 16 | 12 | 22 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 106 | 122 | 239 | 158 | 197 | 113 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 39 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 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.
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