
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Estuary surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 8 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, E swell with 228 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s 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 08) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Estuary in the next 16 days are 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 08) at 6PM. 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 Tuesday (Jul 14) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Estuary over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's see what the numbers are saying for you folks who think in feet.
Honestly, it’s a rough stretch ahead. I wouldn't be rushing to get the wax out just yet.
The first wave worth looking at is on Wednesday morning, the 8th of July, at Whangamata Estuary. We’ve got a NE swell pushing in around 5ft with a short 8-second period, so it’s nothing special. The energy’s moderate at 447, but with a light cross breeze, it’ll be bumpy and a bit of a fight. It’s a marginal call, and since it’s an inconsistent beach/bar break, this is one for the beginners or the truly keen. It won't be clean.
The afternoon turns it around, though. The wind backs off to a light cross-off from the SW at just 5 km/h. The swell drops to about 4ft from the E, but that 10-second period gives it a bit more push and shape. Water temp is 60°, pretty normal for the season, so no shock there. This Wednesday afternoon session is the pick of the entire forecast — clean, glassy-ish with a light offshore touch. But let’s be clear, it’s still not pumping.
After that, it goes downhill fast. Thursday morning, the 9th of July, gets a 20 km/h cross-off wind but the swell is down to 3ft and the energy is weak. By Thursday afternoon, a fresh 30 km/h south wind chops it into a mess. Friday through the weekend is a total bust, with tiny, gutless waves.
We then hit a long flat spell from Sunday the 12th through Wednesday the 15th of July. We’re talking waves under 2ft and energy readings in the 30s and 40s. Glassy mornings on the 14th and 15th are nice for a float, but not for surfing. That’s a big gap with nothing to offer.
From the 16th onward, the wind howls from the ENE. We get some serious size on the 21st of July—a huge 12ft swell with a very strong energy reading of 2703, and 10ft in the afternoon with 3903. That’s a lot of power, but it’s all coming with a 25 km/h onshore wind. That’s experts-only territory, and even then, it’ll be a closeout mess at this beach/bar setup. Might be more fun for the kite surfers than paddle surfers.
So here’s the bottom line: the only decent window is Wednesday afternoon, the 8th of July at Whangamata Estuary. It’s clean, small, and the best of a bad bunch. After that, park the board for a while. The big swell on the 21st looks powerful, but the wind is going to ruin it.
Stay patient. Forecasts can always change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
311 | 230 | 154 | 122 | 122 | 121 | 69 | 66 | 153 | 127 | 71 | 43 | 28 | 42 | 25 | 14 | 35 | 33 | 22 | 22 | 24 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:45AM1.77m | 5:28PM1.86m | 5:46AM1.81m | 6:27PM1.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:43PM0.38m | 7:17AM0.27m | 7:36PM0.38m | 8:10AM0.23m | 8:35PM0.37m | 9:07AM0.20m | 9:37PM0.35m | 10:06AM0.15m | 10:40PM0.30m | 11:07AM0.10m | 11:43PM0.24m | 12:06PM0.05m | 00:43AM0.18m | ||||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 11 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NNE 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 |
311 | 230 | 154 | 122 | 122 | 121 | 69 | 66 | 153 | 127 | 71 | 43 | 28 | 42 | 25 | 14 | 6 | 33 | 22 | 22 | 24 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | — | — | N 13 | N 13 | — | — | ESE 4 | N 10 | N 10 | NE 12 | E 5 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 |
128 | 107 | 57 | 24 | 12 | 15 | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 8 | — | NE 9 | NE 9 | — | NE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | — | E 12 | N 10 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 |
— | 31 | — | 3 | 12 | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | — | — | ESE 3 | SE 4 | — | — | NE 4 | NNE 5 | N 5 | — | — | — |
8 | — | 5 | 1 | 13 | 84 | 41 | 39 | 46 | — | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | 13 | 35 | 64 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 130 | 177 | 49 | 64 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 26 | 26 | 9 | 106 | 106 | 65 | 156 | 65 | 113 | 186 |
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.










