Whangamata Estuary Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

To be straight with you, the next week and a half is looking pretty flat and ordinary. We’ve got a long stretch of weak, small energy and most days are scoring as a write-off. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so nothing to get excited about there.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Saturday, July 25th. The morning session at Whangamata Estuary will see a bit of a pulse, with a 3ft east swell and a period of 11 seconds. The combined energy hits 259 (moderate), so there’s some life in the water. The wind is offshore from the west-northwest, keeping things clean. It’s not a classic, but it’s the first time we’ve had anything to paddle out for. Don’t expect much in the afternoon though, as the wind swings around and the energy drops.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums for most of the following week. The swell stays tiny, and the conditions are just average. The best of a bad lot is the morning of Sunday, July 26th, where we get glassy conditions with a 2ft east swell, but the energy is low (124). It’s surfable, but you’ll be scratching for waves.

Now, hold onto your board, because we’ve got a proper standout on the horizon. The real action kicks off on Friday, July 31st. The morning and afternoon both look excellent. The swell jumps up to 7ft from the north, with an 8-second period. The combined energy is strong – 553 in the morning and 621 in the afternoon. The wind is light and cross-off from the southwest, which will keep the waves clean. This is a solid, powerful swell, but at 7ft it’s pushing into the zone for more experienced surfers – beginners will find it a handful.

Then, Saturday, August 1st is the pick of the entire forecast. The morning session is the one to circle. We’re looking at a 7ft north-northwest swell with an 8-second period, and the combined energy is a whopping 852 (very strong). The wind is light cross-off from the west-southwest. This is a proper pulse of energy, and it’s going to produce some punchy, fun waves. Again, at 7ft, it’s not one for the groms or the rusty – this is for the crew who know what they’re doing. The afternoon drops off a bit to 5ft, but still a good session.

So, the short story is: a whole lot of nothing until July 31st, then a couple of days of proper, solid surf. The Saturday morning, August 1st, is the absolute standout. Mark it in the calendar.

Keep in mind, this spot is an inconsistent beach/bar setup, and it can get a crowd sometimes, so get in early.

Rusty.

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