Back Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.07° S 174.02° E

Back Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Back Beach sea temperature is
14.2° C
0.7° 

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


Back Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 3,915 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period with WSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Back Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Back Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Back Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 24th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 15s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 24th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got one spot on the radar, and it’s a mixed bag. The first few days look promising, but then things get real messy, real quick. There’s a solid run of surf, but the conditions will fight you more often than not.

Wednesday, 19 August – We kick off with a clean 4.9 ft swell from the WSW, with a 11-second period. The cross-off wind from the SSE is a gentle breeze, so the surf is clean. The combined energy of all swells directed here is strong at 1107. This is a solid, experienced surfer’s wave to start. The water is sitting at 57.6°, which is about normal for this time of year. The afternoon holds similar, with a 3.9 ft WSW swell lengthening out to a very long 16-second period. The energy is up at 1133, and the wind stays clean. The long period might make it a bit walled at this beach break, but it’s got punch.

Thursday, 20 August – Morning glass at Back Beach is the stand-out moment of the whole forecast. The wind is dead calm, the water is glassy, and the swell is 5.2 ft from the WSW at a 14-second period. The combined energy is 996. This is the best window you’ll get. The afternoon, however, turns to trash. The wind swings onshore from the WSW, and the surf gets messy.

Friday, 21 August – Both morning and afternoon sessions are onshore from the W and WNW with 9 mph winds. The surf is dropping from 4.3 ft to 3.6 ft. It’s just average. The energy drops to 595 and 563. Not worth paddling out for.

Saturday, 22 August – Poor surf. 2.6 ft and 2.3 ft with a cross-on wind. The combined energy is weak (286 to 329). A total write-off.

Sunday, 23 August – The swell jumps back up to 7.2 ft from the W, but it’s a short 9-second period, and it’s nuking onshore at 16 mph. The energy is 1420, but the wind is terrible. This is a kite-surfing day, not a paddle-surfing day.

Monday, 24 August – Here’s where it gets big. An 8.2 ft WSW swell with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is howling onshore at 16 mph. The energy is massive at 3673, but it’s a total mess. Too big and too blown out for the average surfer. Only for the real hounds or the kites.

Tuesday, 25 August – Still big, 7.5 ft to 6.9 ft, clean onshore wind, but the swell is simply too big for this break. The energy is 2290. It’s a pass.

Wednesday, 26 August – The swell drops to 5.2 ft, but the wind is still cross-on and lumpy. Energy is 853. Not great.

Thursday, 27 August – A bit of a reprieve. A 6.6 ft W swell with a 12-second period, and a clean cross-off wind from the NE at 12 mph. The energy is 1092. It’s on the bigger side, but the wind is clean. This is a solid, late-morning-to-afternoon option for experienced surfers.

Friday, 28 August – Forget it. 13.1 ft from the NNW with a 25 mph cross-off wind. The combined energy is 3238. That’s a monster, and it’s way too big for this spot. The afternoon is even worse.

Saturday, 29 August – Back to 6.2 ft from the WNW, but the wind is onshore and choppy. Energy is around 633-700. Poor.

Sunday, 30 August – Now this is interesting. A 4.6 ft WSW swell, with a very long 18-second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the ENE. The energy is 1591. This is the second best window of the whole run. The long period should give it some nice shape at the point, but the beach break might get a bit straight. It’s clean, and it’s worth a look.

Monday, 31 August – A 4.6 ft WSW swell with a moderate offshore wind from the ESE at 16 mph. The energy is 1010. It’s clean, but the wind is a bit stiff. A solid, if not spectacular, surf.

Tuesday, 1 September – A drop to 3.3 ft, but the wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-off from the SE. Too much wind for the wave size. Not worth it.

Wednesday, 2 September – The swell jumps

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat night, light winds from the W by Mon night).

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
3
3
1
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
!
!
!
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
WSW
11
1.2
WSW
16
1.4
WSW
15
1.6
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
13
1.9
NW
7
2.2
W
9
2.1
W
9
1.7
WSW
9
2.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
15
2.3
WSW
15
2.1
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
480
679
845
996
955
604
595
551
542
229
156
335
854
731
474
3594
3308
2675
2290
1750
1059
Wind (km/h)
15
SSE
15
SSE
5
S
0
E
20
WSW
15
W
15
W
15
WNW
15
W
20
WNW
20
NW
35
NW
25
WSW
25
WSW
15
WSW
25
WSW
20
WSW
15
WNW
15
WNW
20
NW
25
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
2:00PM2.91m
2:20AM2.81m
2:50PM2.74m
3:20AM2.63m
3:59PM2.61m
4:39AM2.53m
5:30PM2.59m
6:00AM2.55m
6:42PM2.70m
7:05AM2.66m
7:34PM2.86m
7:57AM2.81m
8:17PM3.03m
Low Tide
8:20PM1.04m
8:40AM1.00m
9:14PM1.23m
9:35AM1.18m
10:23PM1.35m
10:53AM1.29m
11:51PM1.36m
12:20PM1.25m
1:03AM1.24m
1:23PM1.10m
1:53AM1.05m
2:11PM0.91m
2:33AM0.86m
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
 mm
1
1
9
1
1
4
Temp °C
11
12
10
12
12
12
13
13
12
14
14
14
13
13
13
14
13
13
14
14
14
Feels °C
6
8
9
10
8
9
9
9
8
10
10
8
8
8
8
9
8
9
11
11
11
  • 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 Back Beach Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Back Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Back Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Back Beach 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 (Back Beach) 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 Back Beach 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 Back Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Taranaki, consider staying in New Plymouth which is 10 km (6 miles) away.

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