Surf Forecasts:
Ahu Ahu Road surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 5,296 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ahu Ahu Road this week:
The surf forecast for Ahu Ahu Road over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ahu Ahu Road in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ahu Ahu Road over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for Ahu Ahu Road.
The opening window is a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a solid run of fun, clean waves on offer if you pick your moments. The best action is clearly for the experienced crew, but there’s plenty to get excited about.
It kicks off on Wednesday, 19th August. The morning is the real highlight: a 5.6ft groundswell from the WSW, with a period of 11 seconds, and a clean, offshore SE breeze. The water is sitting at 57.4°, which is about average for this time of year. The combined energy pumping through here is strong (2171). This is excellent, clean surf for experienced surfers. The afternoon sees the swell drop a touch to 4.9ft, but the wind goes cross-offshore, so it stays clean, though the tide might start playing games.
Thursday the 20th sees a bump in size to 6.2ft, but the wind swings onshore from the WSW, bringing in some lumpy conditions. The surf is there, but it’s not pretty. Friday and Saturday follow the same pattern – onshore wind and messy, choppy waves as the swell fades. The energy drops right off, with combined swell energy falling to just 385 on Saturday morning. It’s a washout for a few days.
Sunday the 23rd brings a short-period, 7.9ft swell, but it’s accompanied by strong onshore winds and rain showers. The energy is high (1642), but the quality is poor. This is kite-surfing weather, not paddle surfing. Monday the 24th is a monster day for size, with an 11.5ft, 16-second groundswell from the WSW. The combined energy is huge (5296), but the cross-onshore wind is howling at 15 mph. This is a raw, powerful, and messy day – experts only, and even then, it’s a challenge.
The pattern of strong, onshore wind continues through to the end of the month. There’s a big, 13.1ft swell from the NNW on Friday, 28th August, but with 25 mph winds, it’s a write-off.
Now, here’s where the forecast gets interesting. The first real standout after the rough patch is Sunday, 30th August. The swell drops to a clean 5.2ft from the WSW, but the period stretches out to a very long 18 seconds, and the wind is a light, offshore breeze from the ENE. The combined energy is still strong (2224), and the description says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is a classic, clean groundswell day, perfect for a reef setup like Ahu Ahu Road.
The run of good conditions continues. Monday, 31st August, sees a 5.6ft to 5.9ft swell, with a clean offshore wind from the ESE. The energy is solid (1350), and it’s another clean day for the experienced surfer.
But the absolute pinnacle of this 16-day outlook is Wednesday, 3rd September. The morning is glassy – dead flat calm – with a massive 11.5ft, 16-second groundswell from the WSW. The combined energy is through the roof at 7048. This is the kind of day that gets the heart pumping. It’s big, powerful, and perfect. This is purely for experts, but it’s the best session on offer, bar none. The afternoon the wind swings onshore, so make sure you get the dawn patrol.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat night, light winds from the W by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | NW 7 | W 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
753 | 1136 | 1953 | 1484 | 1247 | 863 | 722 | 722 | 487 | 312 | 222 | 440 | 1070 | 897 | 688 | 5296 | 4484 | 3826 | 3075 | 2349 | 1387 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 2:04PM2.64m | 2:22AM2.53m | 2:55PM2.45m | 3:16AM2.34m | 3:59PM2.32m | 4:28AM2.22m | 5:20PM2.28m | 5:51AM2.22m | 6:36PM2.36m | 7:01AM2.33m | 7:33PM2.51m | 7:53AM2.49m | 8:18PM2.70m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:21PM0.78m | 8:46AM0.79m | 9:15PM0.98m | 9:44AM0.96m | 10:24PM1.10m | 10:55AM1.04m | 11:41PM1.12m | 12:10PM1.01m | 00:51AM1.02m | 1:12PM0.88m | 1:45AM0.86m | 2:00PM0.71m | 2:29AM0.67m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 6 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | NNW 8 | WSW 9 | W 9 | — | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
753 | 584 | 1953 | 1484 | 1247 | 863 | 722 | 722 | 487 | 56 | 222 | 384 | 292 | 897 | 646 | — | 4484 | 3826 | 3075 | 2349 | 1387 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | — | WSW 14 | SW 6 | W 19 | WSW 16 | NNW 8 | WSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | W 21 |
650 | 1136 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 312 | 32 | 184 | 280 | 138 | 688 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | S 16 | — | — | — | — | S 17 | S 16 | — | — | WSW 19 | — | — | WSW 15 | WSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
139 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | — | — | 73 | — | — | 174 | 247 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | W 4 | WSW 6 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 7 | W 10 | — | — | WSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — |
629 | 176 | 9 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 66 | 17 | 89 | 440 | 1070 | — | — | 5296 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 81 | 108 | 105 | 252 | 111 | 111 | 252 | 243 | 267 | 267 | 277 | 244 | 267 | 111 | 111 | 263 | 111 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Ahu Ahu Road Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ahu Ahu Road provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ahu Ahu Road can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ahu Ahu Road surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Ahu Ahu Road) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Ahu Ahu Road may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Taranaki? If you are looking for accommodation near Ahu Ahu Road, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Taranaki, consider staying in New Plymouth which is 18 km (11 miles) away.











