Surf Forecasts:
Whangamata Estuary surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, NNW swell with 485 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period with ESE 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 2s 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 2.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whangamata Estuary over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for the Whangamata Estuary.
Honestly, mate, it’s a bit of a tough watch for the first week and a half. We’re staring down the barrel of a long, dry spell with very little to get excited about. From now right through to the end of the first week of August, the swell is tiny, mostly around 2ft to 2ft, and the wind is often a problem. It’s a real flat spell for the estuary, with nothing worth paddling out for. The combined energy is hanging around in the 30s to 90s (weak wave energy), which tells you all you need to know. There’s a bit of a pulse on the 31st of July with a 6ft north swell, but the period is only 7 seconds and it’s wind-affected, so it’s a messy one. The 8th of August shows a little more life with a 5ft swell from the ENE but again, it’s ordinary.
Now, hold onto your board, because things change in a big way starting Sunday the 9th of August. That’s the standout. Sunday morning sees a clean 5ft NE groundswell with a period of 8 seconds and glassy offshore winds from the WSW. The combined energy jumps to 492 (moderate wave energy), and it’s looking like good, clean surf. Then Sunday afternoon gets even better – the swell pushes up to 8ft from the NE, with a period of 8 seconds and light offshore winds out of the SW. The energy is 984 (strong wave energy), and the forecast is for very good conditions. This is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a bit of a wait, but it’s a classic winter pulse.
Monday the 10th of August keeps the size going with a 10ft NE swell, but the wind goes cross-shore and the higher period (10-11 seconds) might make it a bit bowling and tricky for the estuary. At 10ft, that’s strictly for experienced surfers, and the crowds are likely to be in the water. The water temperature is sitting at 59°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
For the best on offer, you’ve got to look at Sunday the 9th of August. The morning session will be the pick for clean, fun waves, and the afternoon will be a proper challenge for the more experienced crew. Don’t get your hopes up for the days before that, it’s a waiting game, but when it turns on, it turns on.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the N by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | E 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | N 6 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNW 7 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 59 | 56 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 32 | 60 | 58 | 87 | 85 | 106 | 72 | 71 | 72 | 303 | 164 | 147 | 78 | 41 | 19 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:31PM1.54m | 4:41AM1.50m | 5:20PM1.57m | 5:30AM1.52m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:05AM0.42m | 10:36PM0.54m | 10:56AM0.40m | 11:28PM0.52m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | |  | |  |  | |
 | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — |
 | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | N 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 59 | 56 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 32 | 60 | 58 | 87 | 85 | 106 | 72 | 71 | 62 | 200 | 164 | 45 | 78 | 41 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | NW 6 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | N 10 | — | E 16 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 12 | E 11 | E 12 | E 13 | NE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 11 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 73 | 85 | 24 | 20 | 34 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | N 7 | E 9 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | E 11 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | N 9 | — | E 19 | NE 18 | NE 18 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | E 12 | N 7 |
| kJ | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 7 | 13 | 12 | 47 | 43 | 23 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 3 | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 | N 4 | N 4 | N 6 | N 7 | — | NNW 7 | WNW 3 | — | SSE 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 13 | 72 | 303 | — | 147 | 3 | — | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 20 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 64 | 0 | 2 | 236 | 239 | 18 | 0 | 125 | 54 | 23 | 125 |
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.
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