
Surf Forecasts:
Kaituna Cut surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, NNW swell with 227 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period with NNW 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 (Aug 07) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kaituna Cut in the next 16 days are 1.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kaituna Cut over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Kaituna Cut.
It’s a pretty quiet start, to be honest. For the first week, from Sunday the 2nd right through to the morning of Saturday the 8th, the swell is barely a whisper. We’re looking at tiny 0.7ft to 1.0ft waves. The energy is weak, with values like 32 (moderate energy) dropping down to 14. The wind is mostly light and clean, but there just isn’t enough ocean to work with. It’s a flat spell you’d spend fixing your gear.
Things start to nudge up on Saturday the 8th morning. The swell hits 4ft from the north, with a short period of 7 seconds, and the energy climbs to 142 (moderate wave energy). The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s clean, but the waves are pretty ordinary. Not something to get excited about.
Then, from Sunday the 9th onward, we see a serious ramp-up. The swell builds from 4ft to over 7ft by Monday the 10th. The swell direction swings around from the east-northeast, and the period jumps to 10 seconds. The energy starts to get serious: 743 (moderate wave energy) on Monday morning, then 927 (strong wave energy) by Monday afternoon. But the wind is messy—cross-shore and cross-onshore, making for choppy conditions. The surf is marginal at best through the middle of the week.
The real standout, though, is the stretch from the morning of Friday the 14th through the weekend. Friday morning brings a clean 4ft swell from the east-northeast, with a period of 11 seconds. The wind is glassy from the south, and the conditions are described as “good surf conditions.” The energy is 355 (moderate wave energy). It’s a beautiful morning for a paddle.
But the absolute best of the lot is Saturday the 15th. The morning starts glassy with a 8ft swell from the north-northeast, period of 7 seconds. The energy is 605 (moderate wave energy). The forecast says “very good surf conditions.” Then, by the afternoon, it gets bigger: 10ft from the north-northeast, with a period of 8 seconds. The energy jumps to 1072 (strong wave energy). The wind is clean and cross-off. However, at 10ft, this is proper big-wave territory. The file says it’s too big for this break. For the experienced crew, the energy is there, but you’d need to be cautious.
Sunday the 16th morning is another highlight: 8ft from the north-northeast, period of 9 seconds, energy of 1662 (strong wave energy). The wind is light and cross-off, and the surf is described as “excellent” for experienced surfers. That’s your main window for the strongest, cleanest swell.
The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.
Remember, Kaituna Cut is a fairly consistent break, but it’s exposed to the swell. The optimum direction is NNE, which is exactly what we’re getting on those big days. Crowds are sometimes a factor, so you might have some company on the best mornings.
So, to call it: Friday morning the 14th is a lovely, glassy, manageable session. But the real standout is the Sunday morning of the 16th—that’s the one with the most power, cleanest lines, and the best energy for the experienced surfer. The Saturday afternoon is too big for most.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 5°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 16 | NNE 16 | NNE 15 | NNE 15 | NNE 13 | NE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | N 18 | NE 16 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
24 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 27 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 50 | 138 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:06AM1.61m | 9:28PM1.74m | 9:48AM1.62m | 10:07PM1.74m | 10:31AM1.63m | 10:48PM1.73m | 11:17AM1.64m | 11:33PM1.71m | 12:07PM1.64m | 00:23AM1.69m | 1:02PM1.65m | 1:19AM1.67m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:09AM0.28m | 3:18PM0.24m | 3:49AM0.24m | 3:59PM0.25m | 4:30AM0.22m | 4:42PM0.27m | 5:12AM0.21m | 5:28PM0.30m | 5:58AM0.21m | 6:18PM0.32m | 6:48AM0.21m | 7:13PM0.35m | |||||||
— | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 7 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
Feels °C | 1 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 15 | NNE 15 | NNE 13 | NE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 11 | NNE 11 | NE 11 | — | NNW 5 | NE 10 | N 7 |
3 | 3 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 27 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 5 | — | 6 | 4 | 138 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NNE 16 | NE 4 | NE 7 | NE 15 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NW 5 | — | E 4 | — | — | N 18 | NE 18 | N 16 | NE 10 | NE 10 | N 14 | N 13 |
4 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 6 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 16 | NE 10 | N 5 | N 7 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | N 11 | N 18 | NE 16 | N 14 | NE 16 | NE 15 |
24 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | S 3 | — | W 3 | WNW 2 | W 4 | W 4 | SW 3 | — | SE 3 | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 6 | — |
6 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 4 | — | 5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 83 | 165 | 141 | 166 | 170 | 98 | 165 | 23 | 141 | 58 | 163 | 133 | 133 | 141 | 141 | 83 | 3 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Bay of Plenty | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











