Arawhata Surf Break

Arawhata Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Lat Long: 39.42° S 173.80° E

Issued: 11 am 04 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Arawhata sea temperature is
14.9° C

Slightly warmer than usual

Arawhata surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Arawhata surf forecast from 4 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 13s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 3,549 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period with W 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Arawhata in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 04) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sun 5th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 9s
Best Surf12PM (Mon 6th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 13s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 6th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a yarn about what’s coming up at Arawhata.

Alright, so the next 16 days at Arawhata are a bit of a mixed bag, but there are some absolute guns hiding in there if you’re patient. This reef break is fairly consistent, and when it lines up with the right SW swell and clean wind, it can be magic. Water temp is sitting at 58.8°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

First up, the early days are pretty average. Saturday the 4th has a small 3ft W swell with a 12-second period, but that NNE wind is howling at 19 mph, making it a cross-off mess. Combined energy is 430 (moderate), but honestly, it’s not worth paddling out for. Sunday morning the 5th is a write-off too—rain, 8ft NW swell (10-second period), and a cross-off wind. The energy jumps to 1703 (strong), but the conditions are marginal at best.

Monday the 6th is where things start to get interesting. Monday afternoon, you’ve got an 8ft WSW swell with a very long 16-second period (groundswell), and the combined energy is pumping at 3968 (very strong). The wind swings light from the east at just 6 mph, keeping it clean. This is excellent for experienced surfers only—that’s big, powerful, straight-shooting surf at a beach-friendly reef. It’ll be walled up and take some serious skill.

Tuesday the 7th morning is still good: 7.5ft WSW swell, 15-second period, combined energy of 2258 (strong), and light ENE wind at 6 mph keeping it glassy. Again, this is expert territory—big, fast, and powerful. By Tuesday afternoon the wind swings to a 16 mph cross-shore, and it gets lumpy. Not your pick.

Then we hit a lull. Wednesday the 8th through to the 12th you’ve got a stretch of small to moderate swell (3ft to 5.5ft) but the wind is either cross-on or cross-shore, or just plain messy. There’s a brief highlight on Sunday morning the 12th with a 4.5ft WSW swell (16-second period) and a light 12 mph cross-off breeze keeping it clean—combined energy is 1073 (moderate). It’s a solid option for intermediates, not a standout, but the best of that week.

Now, Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th bring clean conditions with a 4ft to 3ft WSW swell (14- and 13-second periods). The wind is light and offshore (3-6 mph). Combined energy drops to moderate (562-279). It’s good fun for a grovel on a log or a fish, but nothing to write home about.

Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th see a tiny 2.3ft to 2.6ft WSW swell (12-16 seconds) with clean offshore winds. Energies are weak (235-488). It’s a longboard session if you’re desperate.

Now, the real standout is Sunday the 19th. Sunday morning you get an 8ft WSW swell with a 15-second period, combined energy of 2837 (very strong), and glassy conditions with a light 3 mph NE offshore breeze. The break is Arawhata (reef), so this long-period groundswell will wrap in and hold its shape beautifully. This is an excellent session for experienced surfers only—big, powerful, and clean. Crowds are possible here on a day like this, so you might have a few locals out, but it’s worth the paddle. That’s your pick.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 59mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ESE on Sun night, calm by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Tue morning, gales from the SSE by Thu night).

Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
3
3
3
2
5
5
4
1
1
2
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
W
12
1.7
W
11
4
NW
10
2.5
NW
10
1.6
W
9
2.4
W
11
2.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.3
WSW
15
1.9
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1
WSW
16
1.7
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
17
3.5
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
229
682
3423
1260
399
1344
2515
3369
3514
2238
1504
908
517
444
475
532
1208
1332
932
1462
1165
Wind (km/h)
30
NNE
40
NNE
40
N
25
NW
10
NNW
25
E
45
E
5
E
15
ESE
10
ENE
25
SE
25
SE
15
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSE
35
ESE
60
SSE
60
SSE
65
SSE
60
SSE
45
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
12:21PM2.97m
00:36AM3.13m
1:00PM2.91m
1:15AM3.05m
1:43PM2.84m
1:59AM2.97m
2:30PM2.77m
2:47AM2.88m
3:21PM2.72m
3:42AM2.82m
4:23PM2.71m
4:46AM2.79m
5:40PM2.76m
Low Tide
6:29PM0.62m
6:57AM0.66m
7:10PM0.69m
7:39AM0.68m
7:54PM0.76m
8:23AM0.71m
8:43PM0.84m
9:11AM0.75m
9:37PM0.90m
10:05AM0.79m
10:40PM0.93m
11:12AM0.80m
11:57PM0.89m
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:45
7:45
7:45
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:12
5:13
5:14
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
 mm
15
9
2
20
11
1
1
1
1
1
Temp °C
11
13
13
13
12
11
12
12
10
12
13
11
12
12
11
12
11
11
10
10
10
Feels °C
3
4
4
8
10
8
8
9
7
8
7
6
8
9
8
5
-1
-1
-3
-2
0
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
WNW
8
1.7
W
11
0.5
WSW
19
0.9
WSW
18
1.6
W
9
2.4
W
11
2.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.3
WSW
15
1.9
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
1.2
SW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
10
1.7
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
17
1.5
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
16
Energy kJ
157
682
210
443
399
1344
2515
3369
3514
2238
1504
908
517
444
475
240
1208
1332
932
1094
768
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
W
12
0.1
W
22
1.3
NNW
9
1
WSW
15
0.6
N
7
2.5
N
9
1.7
NNW
8
1.1
N
8
0.9
NNW
8
0.7
NNW
8
0.4
NNW
7
0.4
SW
19
0.9
SSE
8
1
WSW
16
0.7
WSW
9
0.8
WSW
19
1.2
WSW
12
Energy kJ
229
9
261
422
36
1064
412
138
96
65
18
95
85
532
70
419
371
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
13
0.8
W
10
0.7
NNW
8
1.9
SSE
9
0.6
SSE
7
0.6
S
5
0.7
NNW
8
0.1
SW
20
0.2
NNW
7
0.8
WSW
17
0.2
WSW
22
Energy kJ
44
138
58
599
36
20
65
16
5
386
47
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
N
5
2.2
N
7
4
NW
10
2.5
NW
10
0.6
SE
3
3
SSE
8
0.7
ENE
4
0.9
SE
4
0.8
SSE
6
1.2
SSE
5
0.9
S
5
1
SSE
5
0.7
WSW
4
1.7
SSE
8
2
SSE
7
1.7
SSE
7
2.5
SSE
8
3.5
SSE
8
3
SSE
8
Energy kJ
75
427
3423
1260
8
1141
21
27
42
75
35
45
13
355
415
310
886
1462
1165
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
5
2
3
4
1
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
3
4
Distance (km)
7
97
16
97
0
3
202
0
0
0
25
25
22
30
3
25
44
146
165
165
30
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki
Rating
(10 max)
2
5
4
4
5
5
5
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
5
3
4
5
7
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
5
5
9
7
7
5
8
7
5
6
9
8
9
8
5
5
5
4
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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