Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Estuary sea temperature is
15.1° C
0.1° 

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 15 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 17s period, ESE swell with 55 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 0.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 17th Jul)1ft (0.3m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what’s shaping up for the next couple of weeks.

Well, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough one. We’ve got a long, dry spell ahead. For the entire 16-day window, there’s really nothing that gets the heart pumping. The first surf recommendation doesn’t even pop up until July 16th, and even then, it's not much to write home about. We’re looking at a solid run of days where the waves just aren't cooperating.

We start on Thursday the 16th at Whangamata Estuary. It’s a beach and bar setup, and it's inconsistent, which is a major bummer. There's a tiny 0.7ft to 1.0ft swell from the East creeping in, with a very long period of 12-13 seconds. That long period means it’ll have some energy for its size, but with combined swell energy sitting at a weak 19 and then 31, it's barely registering. The wind is offshore from the West, so the surface will be clean, but there's just no power.

Moving through the 17th and into the weekend, it’s more of the same. Swell stays tiny at 0.7ft to 1.0ft. The wind stays favourable, clean and offshore, but we’re stuck with ‘poor surf conditions’ every single session. The wave energy is weak, never cracking the 100 mark. On Monday the 20th, the wind goes glassy, but the swell drops to a pathetic 0.3ft. That’s not a surf, that’s a pond.

Tuesday the 21st afternoon offers a brief flicker with a 1.0ft swell and glassy conditions, but the period drops to a pathetic 3 seconds. That’s pure wind chop with barely any push. The rest of the week and into the next is a washout. We’re talking 0.3ft to 0.7ft swells with low energy (often single-digit figures), mostly clean conditions but zero potential.

The second week doesn’t offer any redemption. The swell stays tiny, and the wind starts to deteriorate. By the 27th and 28th, we’re getting onshore winds and rain, making it messy even if there were waves. The combined energy for the 30th afternoon finally bumps up to 54 with a 1ft East swell and glassy wind, but that’s still a lake-like wave for a beginner spot.

There’s just no standout, no hidden gem, no session worth paddling out for. It's a blank run, plain and simple. For this area, though, that’s not totally unusual – the forecasts change, but right now, this is it. And honestly, with the tiny swell and clean but weak energy, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer looking to get planing than for a paddle surfer hunting a wave.

Stay patient, folks. Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wed
22
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
E
11
0.2
E
13
0.3
E
12
0.2
E
18
0.2
E
18
0.3
ESE
17
0.3
ESE
15
0.3
ESE
14
0.2
ESE
14
0.2
E
14
0.2
E
13
0.2
E
13
0.1
E
12
0.1
E
12
0.1
E
12
0.2
E
12
0.1
E
11
0.1
E
11
0.1
E
11
0.1
E
11
0.1
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
9
13
27
26
24
55
42
36
18
15
13
14
3
3
3
11
2
2
2
2
3
Wind (km/h)
10
W
10
W
10
W
15
WSW
15
WSW
20
WSW
15
WSW
15
WSW
20
WSW
15
WSW
15
WSW
15
SW
10
SSW
5
S
10
SE
10
SE
10
SE
5
ENE
5
W
5
WSW
10
W
Wind State
off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
off
glassy
off
High Tide
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
12:09PM1.68m
00:27AM1.72m
1:01PM1.62m
Low Tide
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
6:16PM0.30m
6:47AM0.25m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:17
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:22
 mm
1
3
Temp °C
13
14
16
12
13
14
11
13
13
12
14
15
11
12
12
11
12
12
11
13
15
Feels °C
12
13
14
9
9
10
8
9
9
8
9
11
8
11
10
9
10
11
10
11
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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