Arawhata Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.42° S 173.80° E

Arawhata Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Arawhata sea temperature is
14.1° 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 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 15s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 7,101 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Tue 18th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (Thu 20th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 15s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 25th Aug)13ft (4.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here, and I've got the full rundown on what's coming our way. It's a bit of a mixed bag, so let's cut straight to it.

The good news is there's plenty of swell on the horizon, but the wind is going to be a real pain for a lot of the time. We're looking at a solid 16-day window, but the first week is a write-off for quality surf. The real standout is a day that's a fair way out, so keep that in mind.

Let's start with Arawhata. Water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much what you'd expect for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

The first sniff of a decent wave comes on 27 August. The morning is looking absolutely magic. We've got a clean 6 ft swell rolling in from the WSW with a 12-second period, and the wind is glassy – a light NE at 3 mph. The combined energy is moderate (1174), but more importantly, the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is your window. The swell direction is SW in the optimum, so WSW is a good match. This is the pick of the entire forecast.

Before that, it's a bit of a slog. The week prior is a mix of poor and marginal conditions. The wind is mostly cross or cross-on, and the swell energy is often high but blown out. For instance, 23 August has a 10 ft swell and a 28 mph cross-off wind – that's messy and only for the brave. The 24th and 25th are even bigger, with WSW swells hitting 10 ft to 13 ft and strong cross-on winds, making it more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.

After that 27 August window, the surf drops off a bit. 28 August has some small, glassy conditions with 3 ft and 3 ft swells, but the energy is weak (372 and 285). It's a nice paddle, but not a standout.

Then we get a promising run from 29 August through to 31 August. On 29 August, the morning delivers a 10 ft swell from the west, with a clean offshore NNE wind at 12 mph. The combined energy is strong (2039), and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. 30 August is also good, with a 5 ft NW swell and gentle offshore winds, making for very clean waves. And 31 August keeps the run going with an 8 ft west swell and offshore winds, though the period is a short 8 seconds. These days are all very good, but the 27 August glassy morning is the true gem.

The very end of the forecast, 1 September, gets wild again, with an 12 ft swell and a 31 mph cross wind – that's a hard pass.

So, if you're chasing the best, set your sights on the morning of 27 August at Arawhata. It's a 16-day call, so it's promising but not set in stone, but the signs are all there. Later on, 29 and 30 August are also worth a look, especially with the offshore winds. The rest of the time, you'll be battling the breeze.

Stay frothy,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Tue night, calm by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu night, strong winds from the NW by Sat night).

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
4
0
0
1
4
2
1
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
12
3
SSE
8
1.8
WSW
16
1.8
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
14
0.9
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
14
2
W
7
3
W
8
3
W
9
3
W
9
3
WSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1143
994
1042
763
1014
1629
1428
1227
850
805
472
530
347
229
366
1208
1405
1494
2925
Wind (km/h)
10
E
10
SSE
10
SW
35
SE
40
SE
25
SE
0
SW
20
W
20
WNW
20
NW
25
NNW
25
WNW
25
W
30
NW
35
NW
40
NW
35
WNW
25
W
20
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
on
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
00:52AM3.07m
1:14PM2.92m
1:30AM2.85m
1:55PM2.75m
2:15AM2.65m
2:45PM2.58m
3:15AM2.47m
3:54PM2.46m
4:34AM2.38m
5:25PM2.44m
5:55AM2.39m
6:37PM2.54m
Low Tide
7:13AM0.52m
7:30PM0.73m
7:52AM0.71m
8:15PM0.93m
8:35AM0.90m
9:09PM1.12m
9:30AM1.08m
10:18PM1.24m
10:48AM1.18m
11:46PM1.24m
12:15PM1.14m
00:58AM1.12m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:07
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:49
5:50
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
 mm
2
3
1
1
Temp °C
9
11
11
10
10
11
11
12
12
12
13
13
12
13
14
14
14
13
12
Feels °C
6
7
8
0
1
5
9
8
8
8
8
8
7
7
8
8
8
8
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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