Surf Forecasts:
Arawhata surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, WSW swell with 5,049 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Arawhata this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Arawhata in the next 16 days are 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright Rusty here, takin' a look at Arawhata for the next couple weeks.
Honestly, there's a long stretch of nothin' before things get interesting. From Monday the 14th right through to Wednesday the 16th, it's all onshore slop. That WSW groundswell has some size, but with 25–35 km/h winds blowin' straight on or cross-on, it's just blown out. Don't bother.
Thursday the 17th morning has a tiny chance—clean offshore breeze with a 5ft WSW swell—but it's marginal and the tide might mess with it. If you're desperate, that's your only shot before it goes bad again in the arvo.
From Friday the 18th through Tuesday the 22nd, we've got solid swell energy (combined energy in the thousands, up to 4901), but it's all hammered by strong onshore winds. Swells get as big as 15ft on Sunday the 20th, but with near gale-force winds straight onshore, that's kite-surf territory, not paddle.
The real standout comes on Wednesday the 23rd of September. That morning we've got a deep, powerful groundswell—12ft from the WSW with a very long 15-second period, and the combined energy maxes out at 7104. The wind is clean, cross-off from the southeast, and that's gold for this exposed reef. The optimum swell direction is SW, so this swell is right on the money. Water temp is about 57°F, which is normal for the season. This is the pick of the forecast—clean, powerful, and proper. That size is for experienced surfers only.
After that, it's back to onshore wind and lumpy conditions through the 24th and beyond, with just a couple marginal days on the 26th and 27th with smaller swell and cross-shore breezes. Nothin' special.
So, if you're plannin' to surf, wedge Wednesday morning the 23rd into your calendar. That's the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Mon night, fresh winds from the N by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri night, min 10°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | W 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 10 | WSW 16 | WSW 12 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 14 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2529 | 1848 | 934 | 672 | 373 | 295 | 290 | 949 | 649 | 1411 | 3682 | 1507 | 3106 | 3845 | 2697 | 4618 | 2938 | 3712 | 4010 | 2159 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:42PM3.19m | 12:01PM3.12m | 00:16AM3.01m | 12:36PM2.97m | 00:52AM2.82m | 1:15PM2.80m | 1:36AM2.63m | 2:03PM2.62m | 2:35AM2.45m | 3:08PM2.47m | 3:53AM2.34m | 4:34PM2.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:38PM0.34m | 5:59AM0.33m | 6:15PM0.52m | 6:35AM0.50m | 6:54PM0.73m | 7:12AM0.70m | 7:38PM0.93m | 7:55AM0.90m | 8:30PM1.11m | 8:48AM1.08m | 9:36PM1.23m | 10:01AM1.19m | 10:58PM1.24m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 21 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 6 | WSW 13 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 10 | WSW 12 | SSE 7 | — | — | WSW 14 | — | — | WSW 14 |
| kJ | 2529 | 1848 | 934 | 672 | 373 | 77 | 290 | 949 | 602 | 1411 | 892 | 1440 | 3106 | 5 | — | — | 1277 | — | — | 1442 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | WSW 13 | W 18 | — | WSW 13 | N 7 | NNW 8 | WSW 16 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 295 | 6 | — | 649 | 135 | 110 | 1507 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 10 | S 10 | — | — | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 9 | 17 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 88 | 110 | 23 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | NW 4 | WNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | WNW 8 | WSW 10 | SSE 6 | — | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 14 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 |
| kJ | — | — | 96 | 200 | 256 | 12 | 86 | 72 | 121 | 516 | 3682 | 127 | — | 3845 | 2697 | 4618 | 2938 | 3712 | 4010 | 2159 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 190 | 30 | 54 | 256 | 97 | 97 | 259 | 71 | 97 | 191 | 97 | 30 | 229 | 162 | 221 | 210 | 203 | 190 | 120 | 90 |
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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