
Surf Forecasts:
Kaituna Cut surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, N swell with 62 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kaituna Cut this week:
The surf forecast for Kaituna Cut over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kaituna Cut in the next 16 days are 1.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kaituna Cut over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a coffee, it’s Rusty here. I’ve been staring at the charts for your local spot and it’s a tough one to call. The first ten days are a total write-off, but there’s a whisper of hope later on. Let’s get into it.
The only break in the game for the whole forecast is Kaituna Cut. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, breaks fairly consistently, and it’s exposed to the swell. The water temp is about what you’d expect for this time of year.
Right now, from Sunday the 19th through to Thursday the 24th of July, it’s flat. I’m talking 0.3ft to 1.0ft waves with weak energy (2 to 10). The wind is often clean or offshore, but with no swell to work with, it’s a total loss. Don’t even bother looking at the water.
Things try to wake up on Friday the 24th. The morning has a 1ft bump from the NE (energy 10) with clean cross-offshore winds, but it’s still tiny. The afternoon gets a 3ft swell from the NNW, but it’s a messy, choppy mess with 15 mph winds.
Saturday the 25th of July is the first day that’s barely surfable. The morning has a 2ft swell from the north with a moderate 12 mph offshore wind, keeping it clean. The energy is still very low at 57. It’s a knee-high wave for the absolute beginners who just want to get wet.
After that, it’s back to the doldrums. From Sunday the 26th to Wednesday the 30th of July, it’s 0.3ft to 0.7ft waves. The best you’ll see is a glassy morning on Thursday the 30th, but the swell is only 2ft from the NNW (energy 39). It’s pretty, but not for riding.
Now, the standout. Look towards the end of the month. Friday the 31st of July has a morning of 3ft swell from the NNW, but it’s messy with a cross-onshore wind. The afternoon, however, sees the biggest bump of the entire forecast: a 4ft WNW swell, with a combined energy of 134. The wind is onshore and strong at 21 mph, turning it into a total washout for surfing. This is a kite-surfing setup, not a paddle-surfing one.
Then, on Sunday the 2nd of August, we get a morning with 1ft of clean, cross-offshore swell from the NE with a long-period groundswell of 14 seconds, and energy of 54. It’s surfable, but it’s still small.
Finally, the last real glimmer is Monday the 3rd of August. The morning shows 2ft swell from the north at 8 seconds, with a solid 6 mph offshore wind. The energy is 82, and it’s clean. This is the best of a very average bunch. It’s a small, friendly wave for the beginners.
So, to sum it up: don’t waste your gas for the next ten days. The weekend of the 31st of July is a no-go for surfing, but if you’re into kites, maybe. The best bet is the morning of Monday the 3rd of August for a clean, small, beginner-friendly wave. It’s not a classic, but it’s all we’ve got.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 10 | ENE 6 | NE 4 | NE 4 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 10 | N 10 | N 8 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 51 | 41 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | off | cross | glassy | on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:57PM1.95m | 10:22AM1.77m | 10:47PM1.88m | 11:15AM1.71m | 11:36PM1.80m | 12:07PM1.65m | 00:24AM1.70m | 12:59PM1.60m | 1:14AM1.61m | 1:52PM1.55m | 2:04AM1.54m | 2:44PM1.52m | 2:55AM1.49m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:19AM0.07m | 4:34PM0.10m | 5:09AM0.11m | 5:24PM0.19m | 5:57AM0.17m | 6:14PM0.29m | 6:45AM0.23m | 7:04PM0.38m | 7:32AM0.30m | 7:55PM0.45m | 8:21AM0.36m | 8:47PM0.50m | |||||||
— | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 |
Temp °C | 12 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 |
Feels °C | 8 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 9 | — | N 9 | — | — | ENE 6 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | — | — | ENE 4 | NE 5 | E 7 | N 6 |
2 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 8 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 4 | 41 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 9 | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 10 | N 10 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 8 | N 8 | E 8 | E 7 | N 10 | E 8 |
— | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 10 | N 10 | N 8 | — | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 10 | N 10 | — | N 6 | NNW 3 | — | E 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | ESE 2 | SSE 2 | ESE 3 | SE 3 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | — |
5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 51 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 111 | 165 | 125 | 133 | 141 | 141 | 141 | 98 | 165 | 145 | 165 | 165 | 141 | 141 | 166 | 165 | 142 | 177 | 23 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Bay of Plenty | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kaituna Cut Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kaituna Cut provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kaituna Cut can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kaituna Cut 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 (Kaituna Cut) 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 Kaituna Cut 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 Kaituna Cut, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Bay of Plenty, consider staying in Tauranga which is 25 km (16 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 46 km (29 miles) away, Whakatane and Cambridge.










