Surf Forecasts:
Arawhata surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 3,826 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Arawhata this week:
The surf forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Arawhata in the next 16 days are 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Arawhata.
The start is a total loss. Sunday the 16th is ugly – 15-foot swell with 60 km/h cross-winds, just a total mess. Monday and Tuesday aren’t much better: the swell drops but the wind stays cross or cross-onshore, and the energy is still moderate to strong. Water temp is about normal for this time of year.
Come Wednesday the 19th of August morning, things turn around. You’ve got a light offshore breeze from the NE, almost glassy, with a 5-foot groundswell from the WSW, 13-second period, and clean conditions. The wave energy is solid (1423). That’s a quality window for experienced surfers. The reef break will handle that long-period swell well. Crowds are possible, but it’s worth it.
Thursday the 20th morning is another good one – similar clean conditions, light offshore wind, 5-foot WSW swell, 14-second period, energy 1058. Another excellent session.
The real standout, though, is Wednesday the 26th of August. The afternoon session is the best of the whole outlook: 15-foot WSW groundswell, 14-second period, and *glassy* – NNE breeze at 5 km/h, dead flat water. The combined energy is a massive 7568, which is serious power. This is expert-only terrain – 15-foot waves are big and demanding. The 26th morning is also excellent (15-foot, ENE 5 km/h offshore, clean), but the afternoon is the one to chase.
The 27th still has size (8-foot, fresh offshore NE wind) but the wind gets strong by afternoon, making it tough. The 28th and beyond drop off in size and quality, with cross-offshore wind but smaller swell.
So, the first week is a slow grind, but from the 19th onward there’s quality, especially for experienced surfers. The day to circle is the 26th of August – that’s the one. Arawhata is a reef, so long-period groundswell will set up nicely, but those big sets will have long gaps. Be smart in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat night, min 8°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SSE on Sun morning, calm by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2136 | 3396 | 3516 | 2119 | 1716 | 1337 | 1028 | 943 | 756 | 1226 | 822 | 1788 | 1428 | 1042 | 955 | 634 | 683 | 515 | 419 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:38PM3.43m | 11:58AM3.23m | 00:15AM3.27m | 12:36PM3.09m | 00:52AM3.07m | 1:14PM2.92m | 1:30AM2.85m | 1:55PM2.75m | 2:15AM2.65m | 2:45PM2.58m | 3:15AM2.47m | 3:54PM2.46m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:55AM0.22m | 6:08PM0.32m | 6:34AM0.35m | 6:48PM0.51m | 7:13AM0.52m | 7:30PM0.73m | 7:52AM0.71m | 8:15PM0.93m | 8:35AM0.90m | 9:09PM1.12m | 9:30AM1.08m | 10:18PM1.24m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 6 | -5 | -5 | -3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 |
| kJ | 2136 | 2615 | 2292 | 2119 | 1716 | 1337 | 1028 | 943 | 756 | 1226 | 822 | 1788 | 1428 | 1042 | 955 | 634 | 683 | 515 | 419 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | S 5 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 11 | WSW 17 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 17 |
| kJ | 328 | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 5 | 13 | 93 | 432 | 62 | 47 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 15 | — | — | — | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 61 | 54 | 4 | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | ESE 3 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | W 4 | W 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 7 |
| kJ | 288 | 3396 | 3516 | 1819 | 929 | 192 | — | — | — | 3 | 108 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 21 | 60 | 229 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 146 | 165 | 162 | 35 | 30 | 0 | 22 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 97 | 35 | 90 | 221 | 146 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Arawhata Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Arawhata provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Arawhata can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Arawhata 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 (Arawhata) 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 Arawhata 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 Arawhata, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Taranaki, consider staying in New Plymouth which is 49 km (30 miles) away.
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