
Surf Forecasts:
Kaituna Cut surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period, NNW swell with 31 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kaituna Cut this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kaituna Cut in the next 16 days are 0.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kaituna Cut over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, it's a pretty grim run for the Kaituna Cut. We’re looking at a long stretch of nothing. The first recommendation for a surf doesn't actually come up until the afternoon of Saturday, August 1st, and even then it's a tough sell. That’s a solid 15-day gap of flat, poor conditions from the start of the period. If you’re itching to get wet, you're going to be waiting a while.
Up until then, the wave energy is barely a whisper. The combined energy values are mostly in the single digits or low teens, and the swell heights are a measly 0.3 ft. The swell periods are short and the wind, while sometimes favorable, just can't do anything with nothing. It’s the kind of setup that’s more interesting for a flat-water paddle than a surf.
Now, looking at that Saturday, August 1st afternoon, we finally see a pulse of energy with the combined energy hitting 78 (moderate). The swell is from the NE at 1 ft with a period of 15 seconds. That’s a long period groundswell, which means better shaped waves, but it can be tricky at a beach break. The wind is cross-offshore from the WNW at 9 mph, which will keep the surface clean. The water temperature is around 57°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don't forget a good wetsuit.
The forecast is for "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions". It's not a standout, but it's the only game in town. The break is a beginner spot, fairly consistent, but expect crowds sometimes. The exposure is to the NNE, which aligns with the guidance optimum, so that's a plus. The swell is small, so it's fine for all levels. The morning of the 31st of July and the 1st of August both have clean offshore winds and some small swell, but the energy is just too low to get excited about.
So, the pick of a very, very quiet period is the afternoon of August 1st. It’s not a day to go charging, but if you’re desperate for a slide and don't mind a bit of a wait, you might get a couple of clean lines. For the rest of the month, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | E 19 | E 19 | E 19 | NE 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 10 | SE 3 | ENE 4 | N 10 | NE 4 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:06PM1.99m | 9:29AM1.81m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:50PM-0.02m | 3:28AM0.05m | 3:43PM0.03m | 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 | ||||||||
7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | — | NE 9 | NE 9 | N 9 | N 9 | — | — | N 9 | NNE 3 | — | E 6 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | — | N 8 | N 7 | N 9 |
4 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 19 | NE 9 | — | — | — | — | N 9 | N 9 | — | N 8 | — | N 8 | N 8 | E 6 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | — | N 9 | N 8 |
7 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | E 19 | E 19 | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | — | N 10 | N 10 | E 6 | N 10 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | — | N 10 | — | N 6 |
1 | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 2 | W 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | — | ENE 3 | SSE 2 | — | SE 3 | SSE 3 | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 2 | WSW 2 | — | — | WNW 3 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 83 | 58 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 165 | 133 | 170 | 133 | 141 | 141 | 141 | 141 | 83 | 163 | 165 | 165 | 163 | 141 | 166 | 166 |
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.










