Whangamata Bar
Whangamata Bar is New Zealand's most celebrated beach break left—a river mouth wave on the Coromandel Peninsula that transforms into a world-class barrel machine when cyclone swells wrap into its perfectly angled shoreline. The wave offers a steep drop-in, a heavy barrel section, and enough length to make every successful ride feel earned. The river mouth channel provides a paddle-out path but also generates powerful currents that add to the intensity. Summer holidays see the lineup packed, but catch it at the right moment and Whangamata delivers waves that match anything on Earth.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to TRG, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Pacific is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Pacific — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Whangamata Bar trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Direction range
- 20° - 80°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.0m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (230°)
- Offshore range
- 190° - 270°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low
- Optimal range
- 0.2m - 1m
Water temp
19°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
8/10
Access: 1hr from Tauranga. On Highway 25 on Coromandel Peninsula.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Whangamata Bar?
Whangamata Bar works best on a low tide, ideally between 0.2m and 1m on the local tide chart. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Whangamata Bar?
Offshore wind at Whangamata Bar blows from the SW (230°). Anything in the 190° to 270° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Whangamata Bar?
Whangamata Bar wants NE swell (20° to 80°) between 0.8m and 2.5m, with a period of 12s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Whangamata Bar?
The main season at Whangamata Bar is Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. A secondary window runs Apr, May, Oct. Best in summer with NE swells. Works on cyclone swells.
How do I get to Whangamata Bar?
Fly into TRG, then allow about 60 minutes by road. 1hr from Tauranga. On Highway 25 on Coromandel Peninsula.
What kind of wave is Whangamata Bar?
Whangamata Bar is a point break, a left-hander. Difficulty is rated 6/10.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Oct
Best in summer with NE swells. Works on cyclone swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Mount Maunganui
⛰️ All-day offshores • Bay of Plenty gem • Easy-access quality
Raglan
🥝 New Zealand's finest • Black sand point breaks • 300m rides
Raglan - Manu Bay
🇳🇿 One of Earth's longest lefts • Endless Summer legend • Kiwi soul
Manu Bay
🥝 Raglan's inside section • Endless lefts • Kiwi icon
Piha
🦁 Lion Rock landmark • Black sand drama • Auckland's wild escape
Muriwai Beach
🪿 Gannet colony views • Auckland consistency • West coast access