Surf Forecasts:
Arawhata surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 7,481 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about this one.
We’ve got Arawhata, a reef break that lives for a clean SW swell. The problem is, for the first week and a half, the wind is just a total bust. From Sunday, August 30th, right through to September 10th, it’s nearly all onshore and cross-onshore wind from the WSW and W, ruining what is actually some serious swell. The energy numbers are huge, getting into the thousands and even tens of thousands, but it’s all just blown-out garbage.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Saturday, September 5th in the afternoon. The combined energy hits a massive 13,971, with a 4.0m swell from the WSW and a long 16-second period. That’s a proper groundswell. The wind finally goes cross-shore, giving us “moderate cross-shore with a cross-chop” – it’s marginal, but it’s the first chance at a wave. The real standout, though, is Sunday morning, September 6th. The wind goes light and cross-offshore from the NNW, giving us clean conditions. There’s still a 3.0m, 16-second groundswell from the WSW, with energy at 4,541. For a reef break, that long period is a dream – it’ll wrap in with real power. It’s the session to aim for.
After that, it’s back to onshore slop for a few days. Then, on Saturday, September 12th in the morning, we get another clean window. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the SE, with a 3.0m swell from the W at 12 seconds. The energy is solid at 2,999, and it’ll be clean. Crowds at Arawhata are “sometimes”, so you might have a few heads out, but nothing crazy.
The last few days trail off into smaller, weaker swell with onshore winds again. The long-range stuff on the 12th is a good bet, but don’t plan your whole trip around it.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the W on Sat night, strong winds from the W by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | W 9 | W 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 384 | 1220 | 1082 | 3164 | 4140 | 5072 | 2919 | 4775 | 3988 | 4203 | 2875 | 2390 | 779 | 2245 | 1844 | 1949 | 1301 | 1230 | 2270 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:33PM3.38m | 10:54AM3.26m | 11:06PM3.40m | 11:28AM3.28m | 11:41PM3.36m | 12:03PM3.23m | 00:17AM3.25m | 12:42PM3.13m | 00:59AM3.10m | 1:27PM2.98m | 1:49AM2.90m | 2:24PM2.81m | 2:57AM2.72m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:47AM0.22m | 5:01PM0.22m | 5:23AM0.21m | 5:38PM0.27m | 6:00AM0.27m | 6:16PM0.39m | 6:39AM0.39m | 6:59PM0.56m | 7:22AM0.56m | 7:50PM0.76m | 8:13AM0.77m | 8:51PM0.94m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | SW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | S 12 | WSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SSE 11 | S 11 | WSW 18 | WSW 14 | S 12 | W 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 |
| kJ | 286 | 443 | 376 | 501 | 879 | 11 | 2194 | 14 | 13 | 23 | 9 | 124 | 779 | 12 | 1844 | 1949 | 1301 | 1230 | 886 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | NNW 7 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 20 | S 17 | S 18 | S 17 | — | — | S 16 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 93 | 5 | 597 | 371 | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | 6 | 24 | 22 | — | — | 5 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | — | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 31 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WNW 7 | W 9 | — | NW 8 | WNW 7 | W 8 | WSW 10 |
| kJ | 384 | 1220 | 1082 | 3164 | 4140 | 5072 | 2919 | 4775 | 3988 | 4203 | 2875 | 2390 | 458 | 2245 | — | 257 | 504 | 1223 | 2270 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 60 | 229 | 262 | 256 | 221 | 221 | 221 | 190 | 90 | 221 | 221 | 221 | 268 | 202 | 221 | 97 | 210 | 264 | 210 |
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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