Arawhata Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.42° S 173.80° E

Arawhata Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 01 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Arawhata sea temperature is
14.3° C
0.6° 

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


Arawhata surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with 2,078 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore 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 (Aug 08) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sun 2nd Aug)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Sun 2nd Aug)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Most Powerful12PM (Sat 1st Aug)8ft (2.5m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it—this stretch ain’t firing like you’d hope. There’s a heap of big, angry swell with dirty wind, and most of the sixteen days are a write-off. You’ll have to be patient and pick your moments. The water temp is sitting right on average for the time of year at 57.7°, so no surprises there.

We kick things off on Saturday the 1st of August morning at Arawhata (reef) , but it’s a tough ask. There’s a big 9.8 ft swell from the WSW, with a period of 13 seconds, packing a solid punch of energy (3482). The wind is screaming from the SE at 25 mph, which is cross-off, so the faces might be clean, but that much wind and that size—over 8 ft—means it’s only for the experts. The combined energy is strong, but the conditions are marginal, and the tide is questionable. Honestly, it’s a “look but don’t paddle” scenario unless you’re really good and have a death wish. The afternoon gets worse, dropping to a 2/10 score with the wind turning cross and the surf getting messy.

Sunday the 2nd is a no-go. The swell drops to 5.2 ft in the morning, but the wind is howling onshore from the WSW at 9 mph, making it lumpy. The afternoon is a little better with a 4.9 ft swell and light wind, but it’s still cross-on and weak (667 energy). Not worth a paddle.

Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are pure junk. The swell jumps back up to 8.2 ft–9.8 ft, but the wind is a fresh cross-onshore breeze at 22 mph, creating a lumpy, blown-out mess. The period drops to just 8 seconds on Monday, so it’s short-period wind swell—no shape, all chop. Tuesday’s afternoon session has a 6.9 ft swell with a 15-second period, but the cross-shore wind at 19 mph destroys any chance of clean surf.

Now, here’s a tiny window. Wednesday the 5th morning is your best bet in the first week. The swell is a manageable 4.6 ft from the WSW, with a 13-second period, and the wind is light from the east at 9 mph, cross-off and clean. The energy is moderate (770). It’s not a standout, but it’s the only time you’ll get a half-decent wave without being blown off your board. The afternoon gets a bit cross-shore, so stick to the morning.

Thursday the 6th is tiny—2.0 ft swell—and the wind is glassy in the afternoon, but there’s just no power. Not worth the drive.

Then we get a shift. Friday the 7th morning brings a new pulse from the NW at 4.9 ft, with an 8-second period, but the wind is offshore from the NE at 9 mph, clean. That’s clean, gentle offshore, and the spot is a reef, so it’ll hold the shape. The energy is low (360), but the conditions are good. The swell direction is NW, and the optimum for Arawhata is from the SW, so it’s not perfect, but the offshore wind makes it rideable. The afternoon gets bigger at 6.2 ft, but the wind picks up to 19 mph, so it’s fickle.

Saturday the 8th morning has a similar story: 8.2 ft from the NW, 8-second period, with a clean cross-off wind from the north at 9 mph. The energy is moderate (991). Again, it’s a bit big for beginners, but the reef will handle the short-period swell. Crowds are “sometimes” possible here, so you might get a few locals out.

Now, the real standout is Sunday the 9th morning. The swell drops to 3.3 ft from the WSW, but the period stretches out to a very long 15 seconds. That’s groundswell energy, and it’ll wrap beautifully into the reef. The wind is light from the north at 9 mph, cross-off and clean. The energy is moderate (648). This is the pick of the entire forecast—clean, long-period waves, perfectly manageable size, and the direction matches the optimum. It’s the one session you should pencil in. The afternoon is similar but with a bit more wind.

After that, the week two window goes quiet. Monday the 10th has a clean 3.3 ft morning, but it’s weak. Tuesday the 11th through Thursday the 13th is mostly blown out or tiny. There’s a brief glimmer on Friday the 14th morning, with glassy conditions and a 4.6 ft

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun night, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Sat morning, calm by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue morning, min 7°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
3
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
11
1.5
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
11
1.1
WSW
19
3
WSW
8
1.5
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1
WSW
13
0.6
SW
12
0.6
WSW
13
0.9
WNW
8
1.5
NW
8
1.9
NW
9
0.4
SW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3070
1547
612
571
575
540
904
1289
1164
884
1896
1143
659
451
335
112
116
96
299
514
45
Wind (km/h)
40
ESE
40
SE
5
ESE
15
WSW
10
W
20
W
30
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
25
SW
30
SE
25
ESE
20
E
15
SE
15
ESE
15
ESE
5
SSE
10
NE
15
NE
25
NNE
20
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:20AM3.15m
11:34PM3.33m
11:55AM3.14m
00:08AM3.29m
12:31PM3.10m
00:44AM3.20m
1:10PM3.02m
1:25AM3.08m
1:53PM2.91m
2:12AM2.94m
2:45PM2.80m
3:10AM2.80m
3:53PM2.70m
Low Tide
5:28PM0.39m
5:51AM0.42m
6:04PM0.43m
6:28AM0.45m
6:42PM0.52m
7:07AM0.51m
7:24PM0.64m
7:49AM0.61m
8:11PM0.78m
8:36AM0.74m
9:07PM0.92m
9:33AM0.87m
10:16PM1.02m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:26
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
 mm
1
4
6
Temp °C
10
10
9
11
11
13
13
13
12
12
9
8
9
10
9
9
9
10
12
13
13
Feels °C
1
1
6
7
8
7
6
6
5
6
2
1
5
5
4
7
7
6
6
10
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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