Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 25 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Estuary sea temperature is
14.8° 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 24 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 13s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 11s period, E swell with 160 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 13s period with ESE 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s 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 0.8m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 28th Jul)1ft (0.3m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Tue 28th Jul)1ft (0.3m) 13s
Most Powerful12PM (Sat 25th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s get into what’s shaking for Whangamata Estuary. The next week is pretty quiet, so don’t be in a hurry to wax up, but there’s a proper pulse coming for the big dogs.

To start, this Saturday, the 25th of July, there’s a tiny window in the morning with a 3ft easterly swell at 11 seconds and a clean offshore westerly. The energy is weak (277), and with this spot being inconsistent, it’s not much to write home about. The water is 59°F, which is average for the season. The afternoon gets wrecked by a strong onshore wind, so the morning is your only shot, and it’s a long one.

From Sunday the 26th right through to the start of August, it’s dead. We’re talking waves from 0.7ft to 2ft with energy readings dropping into the twenties. There are moments of glassy conditions, like on the 29th, but with no real swell, it’s just a flat spell. No point in looking at it.

Things start to turn around Tuesday the 4th of August. The swell picks up to 6ft with moderate energy (273), but the period is a short, bumpy 6 seconds. Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th bring bigger surf from 8ft to 8ft, but the period stays short. The winds are clean, but the conditions are marginal and not for the beginners.

The one to mark on the calendar is Friday the 7th of August, the morning session. This is the real deal: a solid 10ft easterly swell with a 10-second period, pumping out very strong energy (1614). The wind will be a clean cross-off from the south-southwest, meaning smooth, glassy lines. This is top-tier for experienced surfers only, as it’s well over the 8ft mark. If you’ve got the skills, this is the standout.

After that, Saturday the 8th of August gets messy with a cross-onshore wind and a chunky 12ft swell that will be all over the place. The energy hits 4565, but it won’t be clean. Sunday the 9th still has a solid 7ft swell, but it’s cross-onshore, so expect some lumpiness.

In short: the next week is a bust. The only real call is the morning of Friday the 7th of August for the experienced crew. Keep your eyes peeled.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat morning, min 5°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sun afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
E
11
0.7
E
11
0.5
E
11
0.5
E
11
0.5
E
11
0.4
ESE
13
0.4
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
13
0.4
ESE
13
0.3
ESE
13
0.5
E
14
0.5
E
13
0.6
E
13
0.6
E
13
0.6
E
12
0.6
E
12
0.6
E
12
0.5
E
11
0.5
E
11
1
N
6
0.4
ESE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
163
121
59
59
57
55
50
55
55
33
106
89
126
125
112
103
103
63
64
79
40
Wind (km/h)
20
W
35
WSW
25
SW
5
WSW
10
SE
10
SE
10
WSW
10
SSW
10
S
10
SSW
10
SE
10
S
5
SW
5
NE
5
W
5
SSE
10
N
15
NNW
15
NNW
15
NW
10
NNW
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:39PM1.53m
3:50AM1.50m
4:31PM1.54m
4:41AM1.50m
5:20PM1.57m
5:30AM1.52m
6:07PM1.61m
6:17AM1.55m
6:51PM1.66m
7:02AM1.57m
7:33PM1.70m
7:45AM1.60m
8:13PM1.74m
Low Tide
9:14AM0.41m
9:43PM0.55m
10:05AM0.42m
10:36PM0.54m
10:56AM0.40m
11:28PM0.52m
11:45AM0.37m
00:17AM0.48m
12:32PM0.33m
1:04AM0.43m
1:16PM0.29m
1:48AM0.38m
1:58PM0.26m
2:31AM0.33m
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:29
 mm
1
1
6
11
Temp °C
11
11
10
11
11
10
10
11
7
11
11
9
11
12
9
12
14
11
15
13
13
Feels °C
5
3
3
8
7
7
6
7
3
7
8
5
9
10
7
10
10
7
11
10
12
  • 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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