The Surf Window

Whangamata

Waikato, New Zealand

Beach breakIntermediate

On the Coromandel Peninsula's east coast, Whangamata's bar is one of New Zealand's most famous waves, a powerful beach break formed by the river mouth that has produced some of NZ's best surfers and a fiercely proud local surf culture.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size–E 1.5–2.5m at 12–16s

Wind

SW

Light to W under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Mar–Oct

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Beach and bar break

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Long walling lefts and rights off the bar, hollow sections

Length

100–200m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Intermediate to advanced
  • •Why: Powerful bar break with rips and long walls requires solid ability

Hazards

  • •Strong rip currents near the bar
  • •Can be heavily localized, Whangamata has a proud protective crew
  • •Very crowded on summer weekends, Auckland's playground

Local Tips

  • •The bar forms at the river mouth, position changes with every significant storm
  • •Whangamata Beach Hop (rock'n'roll car event in March) draws massive crowds, surf is secondary that weekend
  • •The town has great cafés and the Whangamata Surf Shop has been the local hub for decades

Location

Map showing the location of Whangamata in Waikato, New Zealand

-37.2063, 175.8720