Surf Forecasts:
Arawhata surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, WSW swell with 8,655 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 (Jul 23) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Arawhata in the next 16 days are 5.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arawhata over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s going on at Arawhata.
Alright, things start off a bit average. Tuesday afternoon, 21 July, we’ve got a 4.3 ft swell rolling in from the WSW, but the wind is cross-on from the west at 9 mph, making it fairly choppy. The water temp is sitting at 58.3°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The wave energy is moderate (554), but it’s not a great session – the conditions are marginal and the tide could mess with it.
Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are a write-off. Wednesday morning and afternoon both have onshore wind from the southwest, 19 mph and 12 mph, with a short-period 7-second swell. The energy is moderate (566 and 366), but the conditions are poor. Thursday morning has a bit of a better wind – cross-off from the north at 9 mph – and the swell holds at 5.2 ft from the WSW with a 13-second period. The energy jumps up to 902 (moderate), and the wind is clean, but it’s still a marginal forecast. Thursday afternoon sees light rain and a cross-shore wind from the WNW at 12 mph, with 5.6 ft swell and 13-second period. The energy is 1026 (moderate) but the cross-chop spoils it.
Friday the 24th is a no-go. Morning has a 7.2 ft swell from the NW with a short 7-second period, and a cross-off north wind at 22 mph. The energy is 821 (moderate), but it’s marginal at best. The afternoon gets messy with strong winds from the NW at 28 mph, and the waves are 7.2 ft from the west at 9 seconds. The energy is 785 (moderate), but the cross-chop makes it poor.
The weekend of the 25th and 26th sees a big swell but terrible conditions. Saturday morning, 11.5 ft from the WSW at 8 seconds, with a strong
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the N by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | NW 7 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 12 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 512 | 315 | 423 | 216 | 277 | 902 | 1026 | 423 | 436 | 770 | 702 | 1739 | 8655 | 6864 | 3400 | 2107 | 1398 | 1401 | 933 | 603 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 3:05AM2.68m | 3:37PM2.56m | 4:06AM2.53m | 4:49PM2.49m | 5:20AM2.47m | 6:10PM2.53m | 6:31AM2.50m | 7:10PM2.64m | 7:29AM2.60m | 7:58PM2.78m | 8:17AM2.73m | 8:39PM2.93m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:58PM0.93m | 9:25AM0.89m | 9:56PM1.08m | 10:23AM1.02m | 11:07PM1.17m | 11:39AM1.07m | 00:26AM1.15m | 12:50PM1.02m | 1:26AM1.05m | 1:45PM0.92m | 2:12AM0.93m | 2:30PM0.79m | 2:52AM0.80m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  |  | |  |  |  | | | |  | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — |
 | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | 8 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | -1 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 9 | N 8 | NW 8 | NNW 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 |
| kJ | 512 | 196 | 93 | 93 | 277 | 902 | 1026 | 423 | 383 | 770 | 349 | 322 | 85 | 6864 | 3400 | 2107 | 1398 | 1401 | 933 | 603 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 10 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 6 | — | — | WSW 6 | S 10 | SW 20 | WSW 12 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | — |
| kJ | 10 | 28 | 50 | 57 | 55 | — | — | 57 | 2 | 15 | 365 | 20 | 75 | 41 | — | — | — | 41 | 88 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 19 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 35 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 313 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | WNW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 12 | — | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 7 | 315 | 423 | 216 | — | — | — | 32 | 436 | 308 | 702 | 1739 | 8655 | — | 115 | 119 | 136 | — | 40 | 414 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 93 | 60 | 60 | 150 | 0 | 16 | 259 | 71 | 97 | 109 | 97 | 97 | 195 | 190 | 3 | 22 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 71 |
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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