Surf Forecasts:
Arawhata surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 7,610 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Arawhata this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Arawhata in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s 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 3.0m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, grab a coffee and listen up, it’s Rusty here. Let’s talk about Arawhata.
We’re looking at a pretty wild 16-day run, and the first thing you need to know is that there’s a serious gap of poor conditions at the start. From Saturday the 22nd right through to the end of the month, it’s almost all a write-off. We’ve got a massive swell pumping in on Sunday the 23rd with a 15ft WSW swell, but the wind is a howling WNW near gale at 31 mph and it’s just a mess. That same energy sticks around, but the wind stays cross-on or cross-shore and lumpy, so the surf quality is awful. There’s a little window of hope on Wednesday the 26th morning where the swell drops to 8ft from the WSW with a 14-second period, and the wind is a gentle cross-shore breeze, but it’s still only marginal. Honestly, the first week is a right-off for any decent paddle.
Then we hit the 5th of September. That’s the one. Saturday morning, the 5th, gives us a 15ft swell from the W, but the real gem is Saturday afternoon. The swell jumps to 18ft from the WSW, with a period of 11 seconds, and the wind goes glassy. Absolutely glassy. The combined wave energy is enormous at 7231, and it’s described as exceptional for expert surfers. This is a big, powerful, clean swell. For the experienced crew only, this is the standout. The water temp is about 57°F, which is normal for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The following morning, Sunday the 6th, is still pumping with a 12ft WSW swell and a very long 16-second period, but the wind picks up to a fresh cross-offshore breeze at 19 mph. The energy is massive (13159), but that long period means it might be racing a bit too fast for a beach setup, but at a reef break like Arawhata, it’ll be organised. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a complete dud. Don’t even bother. The 5th of September afternoon is the absolute best on offer, with Saturday the 5th morning being a solid second option. Sunday the 6th morning is still good but less certain due to the wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Sat night, moderate winds from the W by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | WSW 13 | WNW 9 | W 10 | WSW 12 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 12 | W 10 | WNW 9 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 198 | 348 | 3407 | 3530 | 5209 | 7610 | 6123 | 4555 | 3243 | 2870 | 2344 | 2259 | 1840 | 1274 | 838 | 677 | 997 | 954 | 559 | 408 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:25PM2.44m | 5:55AM2.39m | 6:37PM2.54m | 7:00AM2.50m | 7:29PM2.69m | 7:52AM2.65m | 8:12PM2.86m | 8:35AM2.81m | 8:50PM3.03m | 9:12AM2.97m | 9:26PM3.18m | 9:47AM3.10m | 9:59PM3.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:46PM1.24m | 12:15PM1.14m | 00:58AM1.12m | 1:18PM0.99m | 1:48AM0.95m | 2:06PM0.81m | 2:28AM0.76m | 2:45PM0.62m | 3:04AM0.58m | 3:20PM0.45m | 3:39AM0.42m | 3:54PM0.32m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
mm | — | 3 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 18 | — | — | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 12 | W 10 | WSW 14 | NW 8 |
| kJ | 198 | 317 | 211 | 180 | — | — | 6123 | 4555 | 3243 | 911 | 603 | 2259 | 1840 | 1274 | 838 | 677 | 997 | 954 | 413 | 408 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | WSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | WSW 14 | — | — | WSW 17 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | W 25 | WSW 13 |
| kJ | 2 | 120 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 603 | — | — | 57 | 59 | 146 | 188 | 12 | 269 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 17 | S 17 | S 17 | — | W 25 | WSW 24 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | 12 | 108 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | NW 6 | WNW 9 | W 10 | WSW 12 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | W 7 | W 8 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 7 | — | — | — | NW 4 | NNW 4 | — | WNW 9 | — |
| kJ | 116 | 348 | 3407 | 3530 | 5209 | 7610 | 5384 | 439 | 408 | 2870 | 2344 | 301 | — | — | — | 17 | 37 | — | 559 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 210 | 97 | 210 | 268 | 274 | 195 | 221 | 264 | 199 | 202 | 97 | 97 | 221 | 25 | 71 | 259 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 93 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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