Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Estuary surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, E swell with 412 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Estuary over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s be straight with you – the outlook for the next couple of weeks is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of mostly small, wind-affected, or poor-quality surf. The first real chance of anything rideable doesn’t show up until Saturday the 15th, and even then, it’s a very brief window.
Right now, through to Friday the 14th, it’s a write-off. Wednesday the 12th has a 6ft swell from the NE, but it’s a short period 7s windswell, with a moderate breeze onshore making it messy. The water is 59°, which is about average for the time of year. Thursday and Friday stay poor – the mixed up swell and cross-shore winds just aren’t making anything worth paddling for.
The one bright spot in this whole 16-day window is Saturday afternoon, the 15th of August. The wind drops right out, turning glassy, and we’ll have a 4ft swell from the ENE with a slightly better 8-second period. The combined energy is moderate – it’s small, but it’ll be clean. The type of break here is a beach/bar, which is inconsistent, and crowds are possible. This is the only time you’ll get a clean, surfable wave, even if it’s ordinary.
After that, Sunday morning the 16th brings a 5ft east swell, but the wind is a moderate 12 mph cross-off, so it’s rideable but far from perfect. The combined energy is solid, but the quality just isn’t there.
Then we hit a big gap. From Monday the 17th through to the 27th of August, the surf drops to tiny, ankle-to-knee high junk. We’re looking at 2ft or less, with combined energy as low as 4 or 8. There’s a pulse of 6ft swell on the 25th, but it’s coming with a fresh 19 mph cross-onshore, so it’s a lumpy, blown-out mess – more for the kite crew than paddle surfers. The last few days of the period, the 26th and 27th, have clean offshore winds, but the swell is still too small to get excited about.
So, bottom line: if you’re desperate, Saturday afternoon the 15th is your only chance for a glassy little wave. The rest of the window is a flat spell with a few dirty, windy pulses. The break is inconsistent, so this kind of blank run is not unusual for the area. Forecasts can change, but for now, don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 4°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 296 | 257 | 285 | 247 | 164 | 153 | 139 | 188 | 257 | 192 | 258 | 363 | 279 | 113 | 35 | 38 | 35 | 48 | 26 | 48 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:11PM1.90m | 6:31AM1.80m | 7:05PM1.96m | 7:27AM1.83m | 7:56PM1.98m | 8:19AM1.85m | 8:45PM1.97m | 9:10AM1.84m | 9:32PM1.93m | 9:59AM1.80m | 10:18PM1.86m | 10:46AM1.75m | 11:03PM1.77m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:29AM0.19m | 12:48PM0.06m | 1:25AM0.12m | 1:41PM0.04m | 2:17AM0.08m | 2:32PM0.05m | 3:06AM0.06m | 3:21PM0.09m | 3:52AM0.08m | 4:09PM0.16m | 4:38AM0.13m | 4:56PM0.24m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — |
mm | — | 23 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 5 | E 9 | E 8 | E 10 | E 9 | ESE 5 |
| kJ | 3 | 257 | 285 | 247 | 164 | 153 | 139 | 188 | 257 | 192 | 258 | 363 | 279 | 113 | 17 | 38 | 35 | 48 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 14 | — | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | NE 9 | NE 9 | — | — | ESE 6 | E 8 | SSE 5 | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | E 9 |
| kJ | — | 4 | — | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 31 | 13 | — | — | 25 | 35 | 2 | 4 | 4 | — | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 10 | E 13 | N 11 | N 11 | — | — | — | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | NE 10 | — | E 14 | E 10 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | 4 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 2 | — | — | SW 3 | SW 3 | SE 4 | SSE 5 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | — | — | SE 5 |
| kJ | 296 | 83 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 5 | 3 | 32 | 36 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 48 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 122 | 110 | 106 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 106 | 51 | 9 | 26 | 9 | 9 | 113 | 0 |
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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