Surf Forecasts:
Arawhata surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 17s period, WSW swell with 9,647 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 11th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a solid window of surf coming up at Arawhata, but it’s going to take a bit of patience and a keen eye on the wind. This is a reef break that’s exposed to the southwest swell, and it’s fairly consistent, so when conditions align, it’s on.
The water is sitting at 57°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, nothing wild there.
The real standout is Friday morning, September 11th. We’ve got a clean, clear morning with a light 6 mph offshore wind from the southwest. The swell is a solid 10ft from the WSW, and the period is a very long 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell with serious energy (6800). This is going to be a powerful, well-shaped wave at this reef. Now, 10ft is big, so this is for experienced surfers only. The long period will mean long lulls between sets, but the waves that come through will be worth the wait. Crowds are possible here, and on a morning like this, you can bet there will be a few locals out.
The next real highlight is further out, but it’s a beauty. On Tuesday afternoon, September 22nd, we’ve got a glassy session on the cards. The wind drops to a mere 3 mph from the southwest, and it’s glassy. The swell is a solid 13ft from the WSW, with a shorter period of 10 seconds. While the period is shorter, the energy is still very strong (3156). This is going to be a big, powerful, and clean wave. Again, 13ft is for experts only. It’s a long-range call, so be ready for it, but it has the potential to be the best session of the whole outlook.
The rest of the period is a mixed bag. The 10th is a write-off with strong onshore winds. From the 12th through the 19th, we’re looking at a lot of big, windy, and messy surf. There are a few mornings like the 21st and 22nd morning that might offer a cleaner window, but the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, making it lumpy and choppy. The 23rd and 24th see the swell dropping off, but the wind remains a problem.
So, to sum it up: Friday morning, September 11th for the classic, long-period groundswell with offshore wind, and Tuesday afternoon, September 22nd for the glassy, big-wave session. The rest of the time, you’re fighting the wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, strong winds from the WSW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat morning, moderate winds from the WSW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 8 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 211 | 444 | 540 | 305 | 1249 | 1102 | 6632 | 8388 | 4075 | 5242 | 5546 | 9478 | 2128 | 5808 | 5218 | 3576 | 1241 | 1047 | 691 | 545 | 363 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | on | cross | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:28PM3.26m | 8:52AM3.17m | 9:13PM3.39m | 9:36AM3.28m | 9:54PM3.44m | 10:15AM3.33m | 10:32PM3.42m | 10:52AM3.31m | 11:08PM3.33m | 11:27AM3.24m | 11:42PM3.19m | 12:01PM3.12m | 00:16AM3.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:17PM0.46m | 2:43AM0.34m | 3:03PM0.27m | 3:26AM0.19m | 3:45PM0.15m | 4:07AM0.11m | 4:24PM0.14m | 4:46AM0.12m | 5:02PM0.20m | 5:23AM0.19m | 5:38PM0.34m | 5:59AM0.33m | 6:15PM0.52m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 11 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 10 | WSW 18 | WSW 18 | — | — | — | S 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 211 | 444 | 540 | 305 | 407 | 823 | 6632 | 3990 | — | — | — | 22 | 2128 | 1531 | 5218 | 1139 | 1241 | 785 | 691 | 545 | 352 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 22 | WSW 15 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | — | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 55 | 23 | 184 | 264 | 263 | 1102 | 90 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 7 | 6 | 7 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WSW 20 | — | WSW 24 | WSW 13 | WSW 20 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 28 | 149 | — | 54 | 17 | 865 | 78 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | — | WNW 4 | W 6 | WSW 13 | SSE 8 | — | WSW 18 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 9 | WSW 16 | WSW 8 | WSW 15 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | W 7 |
| kJ | 3 | — | 16 | 170 | 1249 | 843 | — | 8388 | 4075 | 5242 | 5546 | 9478 | 1759 | 5808 | 910 | 3576 | 623 | 1047 | 432 | 308 | 363 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 264 | 30 | 26 | 221 | 162 | 120 | 229 | 162 | 203 | 190 | 60 | 110 | 221 | 221 | 221 | 272 | 210 |
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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