World › New Zealand › Waikato › Whangamata Beach
Whangamata Beach 55.0
#4109 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Waikato · near Thames
Very consistent, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearBeginner friendlyBeginner
Surf score55.0 /100
Surfable days89% of the year
Clean days5% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell8% period 11 s+
Typical size1.0 m 3.2 ft median
Water17°C a 3/2 wetsuit
Best time to surf Whangamata Beach
The best time to surf Whangamata Beach is March, April, May. It rarely works. In May the water sits around 17°C, so pack a 3/2 wetsuit, and the typical wave is 1.0 m. The nearest airport is HLZ (61 km) and the nearest town is Thames (30 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 90% | 5% | 0.9 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Feb | 91% | 5% | 1.0 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Mar | 95% | 6% | 1.0 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Apr | 90% | 7% | 0.9 m | 19°C | 3/2 |
| May | 91% | 11% | 1.0 m | 17°C | 3/2 |
| Jun | 91% | 1% | 1.1 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Jul | 89% | 4% | 1.2 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 91% | 6% | 1.1 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 90% | 5% | 1.1 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 77% | 2% | 0.9 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 83% | 0% | 0.9 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Dec | 86% | 3% | 0.9 m | 20°C | 2mm |
Why 55.0
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
2.2
Groundswell 12%
1.3
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
2.1
Water comfort 10%
3.1
Access 10%
8.8
The detail
Faces n/a with 0% open water around it. Friendly morning wind n/a. Mean peak period 8.6 s. Days over 3 m: 0%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 68%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -37.396, 175.699 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Homunga Bay🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.7Waihi Beach🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.8Donut Island🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.5Clark Island🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.6
Compare Whangamata Beach with 5,700 other spots
Filters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.
Open the interactive profileMore spots good in MayFilters by month, level and water, map, side by side comparison and a trip planner.