Motiti Island - Ernies surfForecast / Bay of Plenty / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Thursday 29 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Motiti Island - Ernies surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Motiti Island - Ernies sea temperature is
20.8° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Motiti Island - Ernies this week:

The surf forecast for Motiti Island - Ernies over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 29) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Motiti Island - Ernies in the next 12 days are 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 31) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Monday (Feb 02) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Thu 29th Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 9s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 30th Jan)3.5ft (1.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 31st Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Motiti Island - Ernies over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon night).

Thursday
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
1
1
2
2
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
ENE
0.4
ENE
0.5
ENE
0.6
ENE
0.9
ENE
1.1
NE
1
ENE
0.9
ENE
0.8
ENE
0.7
NE
0.7
NE
0.7
NE
0.6
NE
0.8
NE
0.7
NE
0.6
NE
0.6
NE
0.6
NE
0.8
NNE
0.9
NNE
0.8
NNE
Period(s) (?)10911121111101010109991010999121211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)312966941832682201781259690866711390525367161235146
Wind
(km/h)
5
W
25
NW
20
SW
5
SE
10
N
10
WNW
5
N
20
N
15
WSW
10
W
20
NW
10
SSW
5
N
20
NNW
25
WNW
25
SW
20
N
20
SE
10
ESE
15
N
5
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
glasscrosscross-
off
glasscrosscross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
off
offcross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:56PM
1.69
4:42AM
1.72
5:00PM
1.69
5:45AM
1.77
6:03PM
1.72
6:44AM
1.83
7:03PM
1.75
7:40AM
1.88
7:59PM
1.77
8:33AM
1.92
8:52PM
1.79
9:22AM
1.93
9:43PM
1.79
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:19PM
0.20
10:54AM
0.34
11:21PM
0.17
11:59AM
0.31
12:23AM
0.14
1:01PM
0.25
1:21AM
0.10
1:58PM
0.20
2:16AM
0.07
2:52PM
0.15
3:07AM
0.06
3:41PM
0.12
3:55AM
0.09
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Sunrise6:22--6:24--6:26--6:26--6:28--6:28--6:30--
Sunset-8:30--8:29--8:28--8:27--8:25--8:24--8:23-
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C212320192019202120212421212322212219161818
Feels °C (?)192017181919191920172020202120171816131517
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 Motiti Island - Ernies Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Motiti Island - Ernies provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Motiti Island - Ernies can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Motiti Island - Ernies 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 (Motiti Island - Ernies) 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 Motiti Island - Ernies 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 Bay of Plenty? If you are looking for accommodation near Motiti Island - Ernies, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Bay of Plenty, consider staying in Tauranga which is 22 km (14 miles) away. Other places in and around Bay of Plenty where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Rotorua which is 57 km (35 miles) away, Whakatane, Cambridge and Hamilton.

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