Arawhata surfForecast / Taranaki / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Friday 16 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Arawhata surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Arawhata sea temperature is
19.1° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Arawhata this week:

The surf forecast for Arawhata over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jan 21) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Arawhata in the next 12 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 17) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 14s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 22) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 21st Jan)6ft (1.8m) 7s
Best Surf10PM (Wed 21st Jan)7ft (2.1m) 7s
Most Powerful10PM (Sat 17th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Fri afternoon, strong winds from the SE by Sat afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Wed morning).

Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
2
2
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
WSW
1
WSW
1.1
SW
0.9
WSW
2.3
SSE
2.5
SSE
2
SSE
2.5
SSE
2.1
SSE
1.9
SSE
2.2
SSE
2.1
SSE
1.8
SSE
2.4
SSE
1.9
SSE
1.7
SSE
1.9
SSE
1.7
SSE
1.6
SSE
0.5
WSW
0.7
WSW
Period(s) (?)141313127877777767766662018
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)342373388268531703367637495326458418262512323231281220153221286
Wind
(km/h)
15
NNW
10
WNW
25
SE
30
SE
40
SE
35
ESE
40
SE
40
SE
30
ESE
30
ESE
40
SE
25
ESE
25
ESE
35
SSE
20
ESE
10
SE
10
SW
10
ENE
10
ENE
20
E
30
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crossoncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:29PM
2.76
9:49AM
2.97
10:10PM
2.89
10:27AM
3.10
10:48PM
3.00
11:03AM
3.21
11:24PM
3.09
11:39AM
3.29
12:00AM
3.14
12:15PM
3.34
12:36AM
3.15
12:51PM
3.33
1:14AM
3.13
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:23PM
0.89
3:41AM
0.75
4:02PM
0.77
4:19AM
0.63
4:39PM
0.66
4:56AM
0.53
5:15PM
0.57
5:32AM
0.45
5:52PM
0.50
6:08AM
0.41
6:30PM
0.45
6:45AM
0.41
7:10PM
0.44
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Sunrise6:15--6:16--6:16--6:18--6:18--6:20--6:20--
Sunset-8:52--8:52--8:51--8:51--8:50--8:50--8:49-
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
2------------------726
Temp. °C201917181817171715181817181818161717191720
Feels °C (?)191914111091097111110131213141615161417
  • 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 12 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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