Surf Forecasts:
Arawhata surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, W swell with 2,876 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 10s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk this run out. Over the next 16 days we’ve got a slow start, then some serious juice later on for the brave. Water temp at Arawhata sits at 57°F, pretty much average for the season, nothing strange.
First real chance to get wet is Thursday morning, August 6th at Arawhata (reef). We’re looking at a 3ft swell from the WSW with a 12-second period, so it’s clean groundswell. Wind is offshore from the ENE at 3 mph, making it glassy and tidy. It’s inconsistent and the combined energy is weakish (241), so don’t expect a barrage. Small, clean, mellow.
The afternoon of Sunday, August 9th is a step up. Swell drops to 4ft from the WSW with a 14-second period, and the wind is light from the NNW, keeping it clean. Combined energy is strong (1425). This is a solid, punchy session for an intermediate surfer.
Now, Wednesday afternoon, August 12th – swell bumps to 6ft from the W with a long 15-second period. Light cross-onshore wind, not messy. Combined energy is very strong (1278). Good, powerful lines for experienced folk.
Saturday, August 15th is a beast. Morning has a massive 20ft swell from WSW, but the wind is a strong cross-onshore mess at 12 mph. The afternoon is slightly less choppy. Combined energy is 9316 – extremely strong. For experts only, this is a heavy, dangerous day on the reef.
Monday morning, August 17th is a prime pick: 8ft from the WSW with a 17-second period, light ESE winds at 6 mph offshore. Combined energy is very strong (3142). Deep, clean lines for experienced surfers.
But the true standout is Tuesday morning, August 18th. Swell is a solid 5ft from the WSW with a 15-second period, and the wind is glassy – dead calm from the south at 3 mph. Combined energy is still strong (1387). This is the one. Perfect, glassy conditions with a solid groundswell working the reef. Light crowds possible, but this is the best session of the 16 days for intermediate to advanced surfers. The long period means clean, powerful sets.
After that, it fades out with smaller swell and more cross-on wind. Near-term calls are solid; the long-range standout on the 18th is promising but could shift. For now, circle that Tuesday.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri night, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 61mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sun morning). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 555 | 335 | 177 | 222 | 98 | 71 | 74 | 474 | 307 | 322 | 594 | 1194 | 697 | 447 | 768 | 763 | 638 | 427 | 265 | 180 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:12AM2.94m | 2:45PM2.80m | 3:10AM2.80m | 3:53PM2.70m | 4:26AM2.71m | 5:26PM2.72m | 5:56AM2.72m | 6:49PM2.88m | 7:13AM2.86m | 7:51PM3.11m | 8:15AM3.04m | 8:43PM3.32m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:11PM0.78m | 8:36AM0.74m | 9:07PM0.92m | 9:33AM0.87m | 10:16PM1.02m | 10:50AM0.95m | 11:44PM1.00m | 12:22PM0.89m | 1:05AM0.83m | 1:34PM0.70m | 2:06AM0.60m | 2:31PM0.47m | 2:58AM0.38m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — |
 | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 14 | 32 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | W 10 | SW 13 | WNW 8 | SW 12 | WSW 18 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
| kJ | 555 | 335 | 177 | 222 | 98 | 71 | 74 | 44 | 307 | 37 | 356 | 1194 | 548 | 315 | 661 | 603 | 308 | 427 | 265 | 149 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 5 | WSW 15 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | W 9 | SW 12 | S 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | S 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 8 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WSW 18 |
| kJ | 37 | 16 | 42 | 20 | 9 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 42 | 63 | 8 | 411 | 697 | 185 | 768 | 763 | 638 | 96 | 79 | 180 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | W 8 | W 7 | SSE 9 | WSW 14 | W 20 | WSW 19 | WSW 19 | N 14 | S 10 | WSW 18 | WSW 14 | WSW 7 | S 10 | WSW 24 | SSE 5 | WSW 19 | SSE 4 |
| kJ | 53 | 22 | 22 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 19 | 8 | 70 | 74 | 4 | 2 | 180 | 447 | 59 | 2 | 55 | 20 | 214 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | NNW 3 | WNW 9 | — | WNW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | — | N 5 |
| kJ | 87 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | 474 | — | 322 | 594 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 31 | — | 42 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 25 | 3 | 0 | 90 | 0 | 16 | 90 | 71 | 71 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 0 | 90 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
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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