Whangamata Estuary Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.23° S 175.89° E

Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whangamata Estuary sea temperature is
14.9° 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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, N swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, N swell with 220 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period with N 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whangamata Estuary in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Fri 24th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 6s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 24th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 6s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 24th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 6s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, I'm Rusty, and I've been staring at the charts for the Whangamata Estuary area, and I've got to be straight with you – it's a tough stretch coming up. For the next week and a half, the swell is just pathetic. We're looking at a solid 9 days of tiny, weak waves that won't get you out of bed. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, so you won't need a 5/4, but you'll want a good spring suit.

Let's break it down. From Saturday the 18th through to Sunday the 26th, we're in the doldrums. The swell is hovering around 0.7 ft to 3 ft, combined energy is barely cracking 100 (18 to 143), and the periods are short and messy. There's a moment on the 21st (Tuesday) afternoon where it goes glassy, and on the 22nd (Wednesday) morning it's also glassy, but with waves at 1 ft and 2 ft, it's just not worth the effort. Even the few days with a bit more wind, like the 24th (Friday) with a 3 ft N swell, the energy is still only 78, so it's all fluff.

Now, the light at the end of the tunnel. By Monday the 27th, things start to change. We see a solid 7 ft E swell roll in for the morning, combined energy jumps to 605 (strong), and the wind is a clean cross-off from the WSW at just 6 mph. This is the standout of the whole outlook. The period is 8 seconds, so it's a short-period wind swell, but with that size and those clean conditions, it'll be offering up some fun, punchy beach break waves. The afternoon holds at 6 ft with the same clean wind, so you could get a solid session in. The 28th (Tuesday) morning is also a good runner-up, with 5 ft from the ENE, a 9-second period, and clean cross-off winds. That's a combined energy of 411 (moderate), and it's a decent wave. Be aware, though, that the Estuary is a beach/bar setup and can be inconsistent, and crowds are sometimes an issue, so you might have to share.

After that peak, the swell drops off quickly. By the 29th and 30th, the wind turns onshore and the quality goes to the pack. The 31st (Friday) has a 2 ft E swell with a 10-second period (127 combined energy) and a light cross-off wind, but it's just okay. The first few days of August are even smaller, with a very long-period 15-second swell at 1 ft, but that's just straight and weak for the beach.

So, to put it simply: wait for Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th. That's your window. The rest is a write-off or barely surfable.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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
E
14
0.2
E
14
0.2
E
13
0.2
E
13
0.1
E
12
0.2
E
12
0.5
E
4
0.9
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
5
0.5
ENE
5
0.4
ENE
5
0.3
ENE
4
0.3
ENE
4
0.2
N
8
0.2
N
8
0.3
E
5
0.4
ENE
7
0.5
E
7
0.9
N
6
1
N
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
15
15
13
14
3
11
7
84
28
14
9
4
4
5
5
5
17
26
52
84
Wind (km/h)
20
WSW
20
WSW
20
WSW
15
SW
10
SSW
10
ESE
15
SE
15
SE
5
SSE
5
ESE
10
WSW
5
WSW
5
SSW
10
SSE
5
S
5
NE
5
W
10
NW
20
NNW
5
W
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
10:00PM1.98m
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
Low Tide
4:21AM0.09m
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
 mm
1
1
5
2
2
Temp °C
13
12
15
15
12
12
11
11
11
12
10
12
14
11
12
13
10
14
14
12
Feels °C
9
8
11
11
10
10
8
8
9
10
7
10
12
10
11
12
8
10
10
11
  • 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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