Surf Forecasts:
Arawhata surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 11s period, WSW swell with 6,833 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Arawhata in the next 16 days are 5.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 9PM. 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Arawhata's got cooking for us over the next couple of weeks.
We're looking at a pretty slow start, to be honest. The first few days are a write-off with strong onshore winds and messy conditions. But if you're patient, there are a couple of windows that could be worth the wait.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Thursday, September 17th. Thursday morning is still a bit marginal with a cross-offshore wind, but the afternoon is looking much better. We've got a solid 5ft swell from the WSW with a 13-second period, and more importantly, a fresh offshore breeze from the NNE. That’s going to clean things right up. The wave energy is strong (1676), so there's some punch there. It's not huge, but for an intermediate surfer, this is the first proper session on offer.
Now, if you're an experienced charger, keep your eyes on Tuesday, September 22nd. The morning session is the standout of the whole outlook. We're looking at a solid 16ft swell from the WSW with a 12-second period. That's a lot of water moving, and the combined energy is exceptional (6527). The wind is light and clean from the ENE, which is cross-offshore. This is big, powerful, and clean – expert territory only. This is the one to circle on the calendar, but remember it's over a week out, so don't book the time off just yet.
Before that, Friday, September 18th morning has a decent 8ft swell from the WSW with a long 15-second period, but it's cross-shore and the score is only marginal. The wind is light though, so it might be worth a look for the more experienced guys on the reef.
There's a bit of a lull after that big Tuesday, with a lot of onshore wind and lumpy conditions into that week and the weekend. The water temperature is sitting at 57°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
So, to wrap it up: the pick of the bunch is definitely Tuesday, September 22nd morning for the experts. For everyone else, aim for Thursday, September 17th afternoon for a clean, fun-sized session. The rest is pretty average.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | NW 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1904 | 4014 | 2813 | 2813 | 1042 | 934 | 672 | 379 | 295 | 290 | 786 | 763 | 768 | 2205 | 2542 | 2665 | 2010 | 2812 | 3324 | 5853 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:08PM3.33m | 11:27AM3.24m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:02PM0.20m | 5:23AM0.19m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  |  | |  | | |  | | |  | |  | | |
 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | 1 |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SSE 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 6 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | NW 10 | NW 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | NNW 7 | — | WSW 11 |
| kJ | 1904 | 4014 | 2813 | 8 | 372 | 934 | 672 | 379 | 82 | 290 | 786 | 763 | 768 | 2205 | 1245 | 2665 | 2010 | 10 | — | 5853 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | S 9 | WSW 14 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | WSW 13 | SW 18 | — | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | SSE 7 | — | SSE 6 |
| kJ | 1150 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 1042 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 295 | 12 | — | 312 | 313 | 1144 | 2542 | 734 | 175 | 5 | — | 16 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | — | — | S 9 | SSE 10 | — | — | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | WSW 13 | WSW 18 | — | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | — | — | — | 7 | 9 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 595 | 240 | — | 6 | 9 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | — | — | WSW 15 | — | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | NW 4 | W 5 | NNW 4 | N 6 | N 7 | — | — | — | WSW 6 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | — |
| kJ | 1458 | — | — | 2813 | — | 167 | 210 | 256 | 13 | 69 | 21 | 169 | 478 | — | — | — | 103 | 2812 | 3324 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 190 | 60 | 60 | 97 | 20 | 50 | 256 | 97 | 97 | 262 | 71 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 262 | 97 | 221 | 221 | 162 |
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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