Surf Forecasts:
Fitzroy Beach surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with 7,538 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fitzroy Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Fitzroy Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fitzroy Beach in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fitzroy Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Fitzroy Beach. Honestly, the next couple of weeks are a mixed bag—more frustration than glory—but there’s one standout that could make it all worthwhile if you’re patient.
We start off with a few days of nothing worth paddling out for. From Friday afternoon (21 August) through the weekend, the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, the swell is messy, and it’s just poor surf conditions all round. Sunday morning (23 August) is particularly grim with 28 mph winds onshore and a steep 12 ft WNW swell—way too big and blown out. You’d be mad to go out there.
Monday (24 August) brings a massive 13 ft WSW swell with a long 15-second period and combined swell energy of 7538—that’s serious power. The wind is cross-shore, tides are favourable, but it’s simply too big for this break unless you’re an absolute expert. The same goes for Monday afternoon and into Tuesday (25 August) with 8-8 ft solid WSW swell, but the cross-on wind ruins any chance of quality.
Things stay frustrating through the middle of the week. Wednesday (26 August) has a decent 8 ft WSW groundswell (period 14 seconds) but the wind is cross-on and choppy, so it’s only marginal at best. Thursday (27 August) and Friday (28 August) are a write-off with onshore winds and lumpy conditions. The 29th (Saturday) offers a 8 ft NW windswell with a short 8-second period—marginal and bumpy.
The first week of September continues the pattern of big swell but bad wind. Monday 31 August to Wednesday 2 September sees 10-12 ft WSW swell, but cross-on to cross-shore winds keep it ugly. Thursday 3 September and Friday 4 September are similar—marginal at best, with onshore winds and messy surf.
Now, the standout. If you can wait until Saturday 5 September, it’s the only true gem in this entire outlook. The morning shows a 7 ft WSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period and combined swell energy of 3656—strong and powerful. The wind is light easterly at 6 mph and cross-offshore, making for clean conditions. The water temperature is 57°F, which is about 1°F above average for this time of year—nothing unusual, just your typical chilly winter water. This is an excellent setup for experienced surfers; the long period groundswell will wrap into Fitzroy Beach nicely, offering set waves with real push and shape. The break is fairly consistent and fairly exposed to the swell with the optimum direction coming from the west. Crowds can be likely here, especially when it cleans up, so expect some company.
After Saturday morning, the afternoon sees a slight drop to 7 ft but still clean with light wind—worth a session if you can’t get out in the morning.
Overall, don’t hold your breath for the first two weeks. The one day that genuinely delivers is Saturday 5 September, early. Everything else is either too big, too windy, or just plain messy. If you’re keen on kites, the strong cross-shore and onshore winds with big swell from 23 August through early September would definitely be more interesting for kiteboarding than paddling.
That’s it from me. Stay patient, and don’t sleep on that Saturday.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Fri night, strong winds from the NW by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 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 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | W 10 | WSW 12 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
746 | 316 | 229 | 156 | 342 | 2145 | 2788 | 4626 | 7538 | 5313 | 3854 | 3135 | 2513 | 1750 | 2079 | 2093 | 1387 | 983 | 865 | 688 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:57PM2.30m | 4:26AM2.20m | 5:18PM2.26m | 5:49AM2.20m | 6:33PM2.34m | 6:58AM2.30m | 7:31PM2.49m | 7:51AM2.46m | 8:16PM2.68m | 8:33AM2.63m | 8:54PM2.85m | 9:11AM2.79m | 9:29PM3.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:22PM1.08m | 10:53AM1.02m | 11:39PM1.10m | 12:07PM0.99m | 00:49AM1.00m | 1:09PM0.86m | 1:43AM0.84m | 1:58PM0.69m | 2:26AM0.65m | 2:39PM0.51m | 3:04AM0.46m | 3:16PM0.35m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | W 18 | — | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | — | — | — | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
746 | 316 | 229 | 156 | 130 | 153 | 227 | — | 7538 | 5313 | 3854 | — | — | — | 2079 | 2093 | 1387 | 983 | 865 | 688 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 24 | W 20 | WSW 13 | W 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 18 | WSW 16 |
— | — | 11 | 32 | 99 | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 102 | 201 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 123 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | W 10 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 62 | 71 | 74 | 342 | 2145 | 2788 | 4626 | — | — | — | 3135 | 2513 | 1750 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 261 | 108 | 108 | 251 | 108 | 251 | 251 | 262 | 241 | 251 | 13 | 251 | 261 | 251 | 13 | 261 | 87 | 87 | 103 | 98 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fitzroy Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fitzroy Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fitzroy Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fitzroy 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 (Fitzroy 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 Fitzroy 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 Fitzroy Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Taranaki, consider staying in New Plymouth which is 3 km (2 miles) away.











