Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 02 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Estuary sea temperature is
14.6° 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 2 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, SE swell with 47 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period with SE 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 (Aug 05) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s 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 1.0m 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 12AM. 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Wed 5th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 5s
Best Surf12AM (Wed 5th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 5s
Most Powerful12AM (Wed 5th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 5s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here. Look, I've got to be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a paddle. We've got a run of tiny, weak swell and ordinary conditions, so you might want to hang the board up for a bit.

The only spot on the radar is Whangamata Estuary. The water's sitting at 58°, which is about bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The problem is, from now until mid-August, the swell is mostly a paltry 0.3ft to 1.0ft from the ENE or E, with wave energy barely ticking over (between 12 and 32 on the combined energy scale). That's about as weak as it gets. Even when the wind goes glassy or offshore, there's just nothing to ride. A few cross-off winds keep it clean, but it's still junk.

There's a real gap here. We're looking at a solid two weeks of nothing. The first hint of anything even worth a look doesn't pop up until Sunday 16 August morning. Even then, it's only 2ft from the NE with a period of 10 seconds, and a combined energy of 120 (moderate). The offshore wind from the W at 9 mph will make it clean, but the surf is still very ordinary. The energy builds a bit on Monday 17 August morning, with 2ft from the NE, a period of 10 seconds, and a combined energy of 196 (still moderate). The offshore wind holds, so it'll be clean, but it's still nothing to write home about. By Monday afternoon, the swell jumps to 4ft from the NNE, but with a short period of 6 seconds, it's messy and poor.

So, the standout? Honestly, there isn't one. The best of a bad bunch is late on Monday 17 August morning, where you might find a clean, knee-high wave. It's not good, but it's the only thing we've got. Expect crowds to be possible at Whangamata Estuary, as it's the only game in town.

Hang in there, but don't hold your breath. Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 4°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 5°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
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
0
0
0
0
1
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
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ENE
14
0.2
ENE
14
0.2
ENE
13
0.2
ENE
13
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
12
1
SE
5
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
12
0.1
NE
11
0.1
E
18
0.1
E
18
0.1
NE
16
0.1
E
16
0.1
E
16
0.1
NE
15
0.1
E
15
0.1
NE
14
0.4
N
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
20
19
16
17
15
15
15
47
14
14
5
6
7
10
5
5
8
4
7
8
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
10
W
15
WSW
25
WSW
30
WSW
30
SW
25
SW
10
SW
10
SW
10
SW
5
SW
5
WSW
5
WNW
10
WSW
5
WSW
10
W
5
NW
5
NW
10
W
5
W
Wind State
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
off
glassy
High Tide
9:30PM1.77m
9:50AM1.64m
10:09PM1.77m
10:33AM1.65m
10:51PM1.76m
11:19AM1.66m
11:36PM1.74m
12:09PM1.66m
00:25AM1.72m
1:04PM1.67m
1:21AM1.70m
2:04PM1.69m
2:22AM1.69m
Low Tide
3:52AM0.26m
4:01PM0.27m
4:32AM0.24m
4:44PM0.29m
5:15AM0.23m
5:30PM0.31m
6:00AM0.22m
6:20PM0.34m
6:51AM0.23m
7:15PM0.36m
7:46AM0.23m
8:15PM0.37m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:13
7:13
7:11
7:11
7:09
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:34
5:35
 mm
5
Temp °C
11
9
15
15
12
13
13
7
9
10
8
9
10
8
10
12
11
13
14
11
Feels °C
8
7
10
10
6
6
7
2
4
6
4
7
8
5
8
9
9
11
12
10
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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