Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Issued: 11 pm 05 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Estuary sea temperature is
15.3° C

Normal for this time of year

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 5 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, NE swell with 589 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period with NNE 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 08) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 6s 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 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Wed 8th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 9s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 8th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 9s
Most Powerful 6PM (Tue 7th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, Rusty here again. Let me break down the same forecast but in feet and degrees Fahrenheit for those who think that way.

First off, the honest picture: the next week and a half is a flat and frustrating stretch. You’re looking at a long gap of several days with almost nothing worth paddling out for.

The first real chance comes on Wednesday, July 8th. That morning we’ve got clean waves around 5 feet, from the NNE with an 8-second period, and a light offshore wind out of the southwest. The combined wave energy is moderate at 597, and conditions should be tidy. It’s a beginner-friendly beach-break setup, though the estuary can be inconsistent. The wind makes it worth a look.

Wednesday afternoon drops off – about 4 feet from the east with a longer 10-second period, still clean but the energy backs off to 582. Surfable, but not the standout of the week.

After that, we hit a real slump. From Thursday the 9th through the 19th, the swell is tiny – mostly under 3 feet – and wave energy drops to weak values like 157 and below. Winds are cross-shore or onshore much of the time, so it’s choppy and meager. Honestly, you’re better off doing something else. Water temp is about average for this time of year, no surprises.

Now, hold out for the end of the forecast period. Monday, July 20th, looks like our best bet. That morning we’ve got clean 4-foot swell from the ENE, with a solid 9-second period, and light offshore winds from the west-southwest. The combined energy is moderate at 347, and the “expect good surf conditions” tag says it all. It’s still an inconsistent spot, but when it’s clean like this, the estuary can line up well. Crowds are only sometimes a problem, so you might have it mostly to yourself. Since the swell is under 5 feet, it’s fine for all levels. The period is long enough for shape, but not so long that it pulls too straight for the beach-bar setup.

Tuesday, July 21st, looks similar: 4-foot from the ENE with a 10-second period, and true offshore winds out of the west-southwest. Energy is 314, and it’s another morning of clean chest-high waves. That’s the other standout session to circle.

So, to sum it up: a long dry spell, then a couple of tidy mornings around the 20th and 21st of July that should be worth the wait. Keep an eye on the local wind, and if it holds, the Estuary could show its best face.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun night, min 9°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Sun night, light winds from the NE by Mon night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sun
12
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
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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)
1
E
10
2
NNE
7
1.5
NNE
7
0.9
E
8
1.3
NNE
8
2.1
NE
8
1.5
NNE
9
1.5
NNE
8
1.2
E
10
1
E
10
0.8
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.5
E
10
1
SE
5
0.4
ESE
9
0.6
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
202
404
228
111
186
547
322
330
279
194
120
94
98
92
66
46
31
45
44
29
63
Wind (km/h)
20
NNE
25
NNW
10
N
10
ENE
20
ENE
25
E
25
SE
10
SW
20
SW
15
WSW
15
SSW
20
SSW
25
S
20
S
15
S
15
S
15
SSW
15
SSE
10
SSW
15
S
5
SE
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
High Tide
10:39PM1.71m
10:58AM1.55m
11:19PM1.70m
11:44AM1.56m
00:03AM1.70m
12:34PM1.58m
00:51AM1.69m
1:29PM1.61m
1:44AM1.70m
2:27PM1.65m
2:43AM1.71m
3:27PM1.71m
3:44AM1.74m
4:28PM1.78m
Low Tide
5:02AM0.34m
5:09PM0.34m
5:44AM0.32m
5:54PM0.36m
6:29AM0.29m
6:43PM0.38m
7:17AM0.27m
7:36PM0.38m
8:10AM0.23m
8:35PM0.37m
9:07AM0.20m
9:37PM0.35m
10:06AM0.15m
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:28
7:28
7:28
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:14
5:14
5:15
 mm
12
3
5
3
3
7
Temp °C
14
13
14
12
14
14
14
13
14
12
14
14
13
12
13
8
11
12
8
11
12
Feels °C
8
8
11
9
9
9
9
9
10
9
10
10
7
6
8
3
5
7
3
6
9
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
E
10
0.8
E
10
1.5
NNE
7
0.9
E
8
1.3
NNE
8
1.5
NNE
9
1.5
NNE
8
1.2
E
10
1
E
10
0.8
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.4
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.7
ESE
5
0.4
ESE
9
0.6
E
9
Energy kJ
202
121
228
111
186
322
330
279
194
120
94
98
92
66
46
31
45
24
29
63
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
E
10
0.9
E
8
0.8
N
8
0.8
E
9
1.2
NE
8
1.1
E
7
1.2
NNE
8
0.9
NE
8
0.6
NE
8
0.4
NE
8
0.3
NE
7
0.4
SE
5
0.4
SE
5
0.4
E
10
0.4
ESE
4
0.1
N
11
Energy kJ
68
111
71
99
164
117
188
95
36
20
8
6
5
29
7
2
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NE
7
0.8
NE
7
0.4
E
12
0.8
E
10
0.9
N
8
0.1
SE
4
0.2
E
5
0.1
N
11
Energy kJ
82
57
45
123
115
1
2
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNE
6
2
NNE
7
1
NE
8
2.1
NE
8
1.6
ESE
7
0.8
SSE
4
0.3
SW
2
0.3
SW
2
0.3
S
3
0.2
SSW
2
0.5
S
3
0.8
SE
6
0.2
SSW
2
0.3
SW
2
0.4
S
4
0.6
SE
5
1
SE
5
0.6
SE
4
0.6
ESE
4
Energy kJ
53
404
110
547
212
27
1
1
1
1
5
47
1
1
6
16
44
16
13
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
5
4
2
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
3
1
1
1
Distance (km)
162
198
4
77
106
106
62
0
2
0
49
2
177
51
59
59
106
114
0
20
20
Best forecast wave conditions in The Coromandel
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
5
6
4
7
5
4
4
4
4
4
6
7
5
5
4
6
5
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
6
5
8
7
5
5
9
8
9
6
7
8
8
6
9
6
4
9
7
7
  • 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
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for Whangamata Estuary:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Whangamata Estuary surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


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.

Nearest locationNearest