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Whangamata Estuary 55.6
#4056 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Waikato · near Thames
Very consistent, wind is the enemy here, no off season.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score55.6 /100
Surfable days88% of the year
Clean days6% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell9% period 11 s+
Typical size1.0 m 3.4 ft median
Water18°C a 3/2 wetsuit
Best time to surf Whangamata Estuary
The best time to surf Whangamata Estuary is April, May, August. It rarely works. In May the water sits around 18°C, so pack a 3/2 wetsuit, and the typical wave is 1.0 m. The nearest airport is HLZ (88 km) and the nearest town is Thames (27 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 89% | 7% | 0.9 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Feb | 94% | 3% | 1.2 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Mar | 97% | 4% | 1.1 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Apr | 89% | 9% | 1.0 m | 19°C | 2mm |
| May | 88% | 11% | 1.0 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Jun | 89% | 2% | 1.1 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
| Jul | 91% | 5% | 1.2 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 83% | 9% | 1.1 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 87% | 6% | 1.0 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 74% | 2% | 0.9 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 86% | 1% | 0.9 m | 18°C | 3/2 |
| Dec | 91% | 4% | 0.9 m | 20°C | 2mm |
Why 55.6
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%
2.8
Groundswell 12%
1.5
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
2.3
Water comfort 10%
3.4
Access 10%
8.3
The detail
Faces 80° with 44% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 60% of days. Mean peak period 8.6 s. Days over 3 m: 1%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 60%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates -37.203, 175.880 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Clark Island🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.6Donut Island🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.5Opotere🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.6Homunga Bay🇳🇿 New Zealand · score 55.7
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