Surf Forecasts:
Arawhata surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 16s period, WSW swell with 2,109 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 20s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Arawhata in the next 16 days are 2.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 11s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Arawhata.
First up, it's a pretty bleak start to the outlook. The first few days are a write-off, with strong onshore winds and lumpy, poor surf. We’re looking at a real slow start, with nothing worth getting wet for until around the 20th of July.
Now, the 20th of July Monday afternoon is where things get interesting. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the WSW, but the kicker is the wind – it's glassy, dead calm. That’s a major positive, meaning the wave face will be clean as a whistle. The combined energy is strong, sitting at 1204, so there's plenty of grunt. This is a standout for the intermediate surfer, as the size is manageable and the conditions are perfect. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about.
The 25th of July Saturday morning deserves a mention. A 8ft W swell with a short period of 9 seconds is pushing through, but the wind is light and cross-off, keeping the waves clean. The combined energy is strong at 1600. This is firmly in the intermediate to expert zone with that size, so it’s a good call for those who know what they’re doing.
Then, the 26th of July Sunday morning is another real standout. We’re looking at a solid 10ft WSW groundswell with a long period of 14 seconds. The wind is light and cross-off, making for clean conditions. The combined energy is very strong, peaking at 3200. This is proper, powerful stuff. That long period means it’s going to be a bit more challenging at a beach break, but at a reef setup like Arawhata, it should line up beautifully. This is for the experts only.
Looking further out, the 31st of July Friday afternoon shows a massive 13ft W swell, but it’s onshore and messy. Not the one.
The real cherry on top is the 1st of August Saturday morning. This is a full 16 days out, so it’s a long-range call, but it looks promising. We’ve got an 12ft WSW swell with a very long period of 15 seconds, and—get this—glassy, dead calm conditions again. The combined energy is exceptional, a massive 5706. This is a dream forecast for an expert surfer at a reef. If it holds, this will be the session of the month.
Overall, it’s a slow start, but the second half of the outlook has some serious gems. The 26th of July and the 1st of August are the ones to circle on the calendar.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Fri night, light winds from the SW by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun night, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1130 | 1175 | 1626 | 1428 | 1208 | 1072 | 1955 | 1451 | 1415 | 1693 | 1396 | 1195 | 711 | 596 | 512 | 309 | 248 | 160 | 126 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 11:20PM3.56m | 11:43AM3.30m | 00:05AM3.46m | 12:28PM3.18m | 00:48AM3.29m | 1:12PM3.03m | 1:31AM3.08m | 1:56PM2.86m | 2:15AM2.87m | 2:43PM2.70m | 3:05AM2.68m | 3:37PM2.56m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:36AM0.22m | 5:53PM0.24m | 6:23AM0.30m | 6:37PM0.38m | 7:09AM0.43m | 7:23PM0.55m | 7:52AM0.58m | 8:09PM0.75m | 8:37AM0.74m | 8:58PM0.93m | 9:25AM0.89m | 9:56PM1.08m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 6 |
| kJ | 1130 | 1175 | 1626 | 1428 | 1208 | 1072 | 1955 | 1451 | 1415 | 1693 | 1396 | 1195 | 711 | 596 | 512 | 309 | 144 | 93 | 54 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 18 | S 23 | S 21 | WSW 8 | NNW 11 | NW 10 | S 20 | S 19 | WSW 19 | SSE 5 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | SW 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 286 | 40 | 9 | 298 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 29 | 35 | 8 | 56 | 51 | 57 | 126 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 23 | — | S 21 | S 21 | S 19 | S 19 | N 10 | W 20 | S 18 | WSW 19 | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 43 | — | 9 | 34 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 54 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | — | — | — | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | — | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | SSE 4 |
| kJ | 286 | 512 | 770 | 1089 | 973 | 574 | 613 | 679 | — | — | — | 2 | 397 | 60 | — | 82 | 248 | 160 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 60 | 60 | 229 | 221 | 221 | 221 | 162 | 49 | 30 | 25 | 30 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 30 | 97 | 60 | 60 | 3 |
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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