Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 28 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 28 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s period, E swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, NNW swell with 239 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s 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 29) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s is also forecast. 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 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) 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 0.6m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 29th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Wed 29th Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 31st Jul)5ft (1.6m) 7s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll level with you—this is a pretty grim stretch for the Estuary. We’ve got a long, flat spell ahead, so don’t even bother paddling out for the first week or so. The first real chance at anything rideable doesn’t show up until Friday the 31st of July, and even then it’s nothing to write home about. The water temp is sitting at 59°F which is pretty much spot-on for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Tuesday morning the 28th is a dud—tiny 1 foot of ESE swell at 13 seconds, but the energy is weak (41) and the wind is a cross-off, so it’s clean but there’s nothing to push you. That afternoon goes glassy with 1 feet, still lifeless. Wednesday the 29th morning you get a bit more hope with 2 feet from the east, 13-second period, and glassy conditions—energy up to 91, but it’s still just knee-high slop. The forecast calls it “surfable but very ordinary,” and I’d agree. Thursday the 30th morning has 2 feet from the east, 12-second period, clean with a cross-off wind, energy at 103 (moderate), but you’re still hunting for a proper wave.

Friday the 31st of July is the best of a bad bunch. The swell jumps to 4 feet from the north, but the period drops to a short 7 seconds, so it’s a bit windswelly and crumbly. Energy hits 198 (moderate), and the wind is offshore from the WNW at 15 mph—clean lines. The afternoon keeps it going with 3 feet and the same offshore wind, but it’s still not the sort of day that’ll have you calling in sick.

After that, it’s back to tiny dribble through the weekend and into the next week. Saturday the 1st of August morning has 1 feet from the ESE, 13 seconds, clean with a light offshore, but energy is only 118. Sunday the 2nd is a write-off with 0.7 feet and cross-shore wind. The whole of the following week stays below 2 feet, with poor conditions, onshore winds, and energy in the gutter. The estuary is inconsistent at the best of times, and this run is a true blank spell for the area.

Then, out of nowhere, we get a late pulse. Tuesday the 11th of August brings 5 feet from the NNE at 11 seconds, but the wind is howling cross-on at 19 mph, and the energy is 504 (strong)—but it’s messy, and the forecast says poor surf. Wednesday the 12th of August morning has 8 feet from the NE at 13 seconds, energy exploding to 1704 (very strong), but the wind is cross-shore at 9 mph, making it lumpy. The afternoon though? That’s the standout. Wednesday afternoon the 12th of August has 8 feet from the ENE at 12 seconds, the wind goes glassy—dead calm—and the forecast says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is a serious groundswell, and with that size, it’s only for the crew who know what they’re doing. The wave comment rates it a 4 out of 10, but trust me, that’s the best we’ve got.

So, if you’re keen, mark your calendar for Wednesday the 12th of August afternoon. The rest is a waiting game. Stay patient, stay salty.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 6°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 4°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
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
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ESE
13
0.4
ESE
13
0.5
E
13
0.5
E
13
0.5
E
13
0.5
E
12
0.6
E
12
0.5
E
12
1.1
N
6
1.1
N
7
0.9
N
7
0.4
ESE
11
0.4
ESE
13
0.3
E
13
0.2
ENE
15
0.2
ENE
16
0.2
ENE
14
0.2
ENE
14
0.2
ENE
13
0.2
ENE
13
0.5
E
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
32
59
89
87
84
76
100
72
88
114
80
42
55
30
23
24
20
19
17
17
24
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
5
E
10
ESE
5
SSE
5
NE
10
WNW
10
NW
20
NNW
15
NNW
15
WNW
20
WNW
15
WNW
10
WNW
10
SSW
20
SE
15
S
10
S
10
SSW
15
S
5
SSW
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
6:07PM1.61m
6:17AM1.55m
6:51PM1.66m
7:02AM1.57m
7:33PM1.70m
7:45AM1.60m
8:13PM1.74m
8:27AM1.62m
8:52PM1.76m
9:08AM1.63m
9:30PM1.77m
9:50AM1.64m
10:09PM1.77m
Low Tide
11:45AM0.37m
00:17AM0.48m
12:32PM0.33m
1:04AM0.43m
1:16PM0.29m
1:48AM0.38m
1:58PM0.26m
2:31AM0.33m
2:40PM0.25m
3:12AM0.29m
3:20PM0.25m
3:52AM0.26m
4:01PM0.27m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
 mm
3
Temp °C
9
10
9
11
11
11
15
14
13
14
15
11
15
15
10
10
11
8
10
11
6
Feels °C
6
7
6
9
9
9
11
10
9
10
11
8
12
12
4
5
7
4
6
8
2
  • 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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