Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 29 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Estuary sea temperature is
15.1° 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 29 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, NNW swell with 298 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s period with E 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 29) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Estuary in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Wed 29th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 31st Jul)6ft (1.8m) 7s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 31st Jul)6ft (1.8m) 7s

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


The Lowdown

Right folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the local scene for the next couple of weeks.

To be honest, the first week is a bit of a snoozer. The first solid surfable day doesn’t show up until Friday, the 31st of July. Before that, we’re looking at a few days of tiny, 2ft leftovers that are just not worth paddling out for. The early morning on Wednesday the 29th has a weak 2ft swell from the east with a 13-second period, and the water is sitting at 59°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year so nothing special there. The wind is glassy, but the combined energy is only 89, which is weak. It’s surfable, but it’s ordinary.

The first real glimmer of hope comes Friday morning, the 31st of July. We get a pulse of 5ft swell from the north-northwest, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s a bit of a windswell. The wind is offshore from the west at 12 mph, and the combined energy jumps to 372 (moderate). That’s the best of the early days, but it’s still not amazing. The afternoon drops off quickly.

The rest of the week into early August is pretty grim. There’s a massive gap from Saturday afternoon, the 1st of August, all the way through to Saturday, the 8th of August, where there’s nothing worth mentioning. Just tiny waves, poor conditions, and cross-off or onshore winds. It’s a flat spell.

Now, the second week is where it gets interesting, but it’s also a bit wild. Sunday, the 9th of August, looks like a proper standout. The morning brings a solid 10ft swell from the northeast, with a period of 8 seconds. The wind is offshore from the southwest at 9 mph, and the combined energy is a massive 1090 (strong). That’s a lot of power. However, the swell is over 8ft, so this is expert-only territory for Whangamata Estuary. It’s going to be a clean, powerful beast, but you’ve got to know what you’re doing. The afternoon stays good but gets a bit windier.

Monday, the 10th of August, is truly massive. We’re looking at a 16ft to 18ft swell from the east-northeast and northeast, with a period of 12 seconds. The combined energy is off the charts at 6214 on Monday morning and 13668 on Monday afternoon. That’s a very strong southerly swell. The wind is cross-off from the southwest, but honestly, this is just too big for this break. Unless you’re a big-wave charlie, it’s a day to watch from the beach. The period is 12 seconds, which is long, but at this size, it’s a freight train.

The best all-rounder, and the one I’d circle, is Thursday, the 13th of August. The morning session has a 10ft swell from the east-northeast, a 13-second period, and light cross-off winds from the west-northwest at 6 mph. The combined energy is 2638, and the forecast calls for excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That’s the one. The swell is still big, so it’s not for the faint-hearted, but the wind is clean, and the period is good for a point break or reef setup. The estuary might get a bit straight, but it’ll be a classic.

Overall, the first week is a write-off, but the second week is full of power. The standout is definitely Thursday, the 13th of August, for the experienced crew. The Sunday and Monday before that are huge and risky.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 4°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
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)
0.5
E
13
0.5
E
13
0.6
E
12
0.6
E
12
0.5
E
12
0.9
N
6
1.5
NNW
7
0.8
N
7
0.4
ESE
11
0.3
E
13
0.3
E
12
1.1
SE
6
1
SSE
5
0.2
ENE
14
0.2
ENE
14
0.2
ENE
13
0.2
ENE
13
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
12
0.5
ESE
5
0.2
ENE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
87
85
105
103
71
50
200
65
41
29
29
69
51
20
19
16
17
15
15
15
14
Wind (km/h)
5
S
5
NNE
10
N
10
NW
20
NNW
20
NNW
20
W
25
W
15
WNW
10
W
15
WSW
20
SSE
15
SSW
15
SW
15
WSW
10
W
20
SW
20
WSW
15
SW
15
SW
5
SW
Wind State
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
6:51PM1.66m
7:02AM1.57m
7:33PM1.70m
7:45AM1.60m
8:13PM1.74m
8:27AM1.62m
8:52PM1.76m
9:08AM1.63m
9:30PM1.77m
9:50AM1.64m
10:09PM1.77m
10:33AM1.65m
10:51PM1.76m
Low Tide
12:32PM0.33m
1:04AM0.43m
1:16PM0.29m
1:48AM0.38m
1:58PM0.26m
2:31AM0.33m
2:40PM0.25m
3:12AM0.29m
3:20PM0.25m
3:52AM0.26m
4:01PM0.27m
4:32AM0.24m
4:44PM0.29m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
 mm
3
2
1
Temp °C
12
12
11
15
15
13
14
14
11
13
11
8
9
11
7
13
13
10
13
13
10
Feels °C
10
10
8
11
10
9
9
8
7
9
8
1
4
6
3
9
9
5
9
9
7
  • 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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