
Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Estuary surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, NNW swell with 114 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 1.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) 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 0.9m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Estuary over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s be straight – the next couple of weeks at Whangamata Estuary are pretty grim for surf. The water’s sitting around 59°, which is just about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. But the swell? Tiny. We’re talking ankle‑snappers, barely 0.7ft to 1.0ft for most of the run, and the wind is often cross‑shore or onshore. The estuary is an inconsistent spot anyway, so a long blank stretch like this isn’t unusual – it’s just the way it goes sometimes.
The first real pulse of energy doesn’t appear until Saturday the 1st of August. That’s a solid 13‑day gap of nothing worth paddling for. And even then, the morning of the 1st is still marginal – 6ft swell from the NNW with a short 7‑second period, but the wind is offshore from the W, so it’ll be clean. The combined energy hits 389 (moderate to strong), so there’s some push. The afternoon is where it gets interesting: 7ft from the same direction, still offshore, and the energy jumps to 605 (very strong). That’s the best we’ll see in the whole outlook.
But here’s the rub – this is a beginner break, and 7ft is on the big side for learning. The swell direction is NNW, not the optimum ENE, so the waves won’t be as well‑lined up as they could be. And with a period of only 7 seconds, it’s a short‑period wind swell, not a groundswell, so expect lumpy, close‑together sets. Still, a clean offshore day with that much energy is a rare treat for an inconsistent spot like this. Crowds are possible – it’s a popular estuary when it’s good – so get in early if you’re keen.
After that, it drops back to nothing by Sunday the 2nd. The rest of the 16 days is tiny surf again, with a few glassy mornings but no size. So, if you’re a beginner, maybe skip this one. For the experienced crew, the 1st of August afternoon is the only real standout – a promise of some fun, but not a sure thing this far out.
Stay patient, and check back closer to the date. Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
13 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 40 | 26 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 17 | 8 | 33 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 10:25AM1.79m | 10:49PM1.91m | 11:17AM1.74m | 11:38PM1.82m | 12:09PM1.68m | 00:27AM1.72m | 1:01PM1.62m | 1:16AM1.63m | 1:54PM1.57m | 2:06AM1.56m | 2:47PM1.54m | 2:58AM1.52m | 3:39PM1.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:36PM0.11m | 5:11AM0.12m | 5:26PM0.21m | 5:59AM0.18m | 6:16PM0.30m | 6:47AM0.25m | 7:06PM0.40m | 7:35AM0.32m | 7:57PM0.47m | 8:24AM0.37m | 8:50PM0.52m | 9:14AM0.41m | 9:43PM0.55m | ||||||||
7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 18 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | 6 |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | N 7 | N 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | E 9 |
13 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 40 | 26 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 17 | 8 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | N 8 | N 8 | — | E 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | — | E 7 | E 9 | E 8 | NE 8 |
2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | — | — | — | E 6 | E 10 | E 17 |
— | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 2 | SW 2 | — | E 3 | E 4 | — | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | SW 2 | — | — | NNW 6 |
1 | 1 | — | 2 | 10 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 2 | — | — | 33 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 156 | 156 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 130 | 128 | 216 | 216 | 114 | 106 | 236 | 236 | 236 | 156 | 197 | 244 | 236 | 544 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Coromandel | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










