Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 13 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Estuary sea temperature is
15.2° C
0.0° 

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 13 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 17s period, ESE swell with 58 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 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 17th Jul)1ft (0.3m) 17s

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


Alright, mate. Rusty here. Let's chew the fat on the Whangamata Estuary (Whangamata). Truth is, it’s looking like a dead stretch for the next 16 days. The data is all "poor surf conditions" and tiny numbers. There’s a gap of about 16 days here with nothing worth a second look.

The first mention is on Monday, July 13th, with a tiny 1ft swell from the east. The energy is puny at 20 (combined energy). The morning is glassy, but it’s just not enough to make a ripple. Water temp is 59°, which is normal for this time of year, so no big deal.

Tuesday the 14th picks up a little to 2ft from the north, but the period is a short 5 seconds and the wind is cross-offshore. It’s got a bit more juice at 37, but still weak. Wednesday the 15th drops back to 0.7ft, even with a longer 12-second period from the east – that’s a groundswell, but it’s too small to matter.

The whole run is the same story: tiny swell, weak energy (all under 100), and winds that are cross-shore, cross-on, or cross-off. There’s a hint of longer period groundswell (15-17 seconds) on the 17th and 18th, but it’s only 0.7ft to 1ft. The energy nudges up to 63 on the afternoon of Friday the 17th, but it’s still a feeble total. That 15-second period is a classic groundswell, but with no size, it’s a non-starter.

It never gets over 3ft, and that’s only on the 20th and 21st, with a terrible short period of 4-5 seconds. The energy hits 65 on the 20th afternoon, the highest we see, but it’s a weak, wind-affected mess. The wind is mostly cross or onshore, so expect chop.

There is no standout day. There is no best on offer. The whole 16-day window is a total write-off for surf. The Estuary is inconsistent anyway, and this forecast is a classic example of a blank run. If you’re really keen, you could try the 2ft on the morning of the 22nd with glassy conditions, but you’d be chasing a phantom. It’s a paddle, not a surf.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
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)
0.3
E
9
0.6
N
4
0.7
N
5
0.7
N
5
0.6
N
5
0.2
E
12
0.2
E
11
0.2
E
11
0.2
E
13
0.3
E
12
0.2
E
18
0.2
E
17
0.3
ESE
17
0.3
ESE
17
0.3
ESE
14
0.2
ESE
14
0.2
E
14
0.2
E
13
0.2
E
13
0.2
N
8
0.7
ESE
4
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
14
13
28
25
21
11
9
9
13
27
27
23
57
56
41
18
16
14
13
6
16
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
15
NNW
10
NNW
10
NW
5
W
5
SW
5
NW
5
W
5
W
10
WNW
20
WSW
15
SW
20
SW
10
WSW
10
SW
15
WSW
15
SW
10
SE
20
ESE
20
SE
15
SE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
glassy
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
5:28PM1.86m
5:46AM1.81m
6:27PM1.94m
6:45AM1.85m
7:23PM1.99m
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
Low Tide
11:43PM0.24m
12:06PM0.05m
00:43AM0.18m
1:04PM0.01m
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
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:17
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:20
 mm
Temp °C
13
13
14
16
13
14
16
13
15
16
12
13
14
11
13
14
11
12
12
10
11
Feels °C
11
11
12
15
12
14
16
12
13
14
8
10
10
8
10
11
7
7
7
5
7
  • 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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