Surf Forecasts:
Middleton Bay surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 1,495 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Middleton Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Middleton Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Middleton Bay in the next 16 days are 2.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Middleton Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into what’s cooking at Middleton Bay.
This reef break is a classic SW swell magnet, and it’s going to be a slow start. The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday afternoon is a mess with an 8ft WSW swell but a strong SE crosswind making it lumpy and poor. Wednesday is still marginal with a dropping swell and cross-shore winds. Basically, don’t bother paddling out until Thursday.
The first real glimmer of hope comes Thursday morning, the 6th of August. The swell drops right down to 3ft from the WSW, but the wind goes glassy. It’s a small, clean session with very weak wave energy (242). The water temperature is 58°, so about average for this time of year.
The standout window is the Sunday morning of the 17th of August. Mark it. We’ve got a solid 5ft swell from the WSW, but the key is the wind – it’s offshore from the NE and glassy. The wave energy is strong (1569), and the conditions are set for excellent, clean waves. This is the pick of the whole forecast for experienced surfers, as 5ft is a fun size. The long 15-second period means longer lulls and powerful lines, perfect for this reef.
The Saturday before that, the 15th, has a building 8ft WSW swell with a very long 20-second period, but it’s got a cross-on wind. The combined energy is massive (5040), but the wind will make it chunky and challenging. That’s one for the experts only, and even then, it’ll be a battle.
The second week is a bit of a mixed bag. The 18th of August serves up a big, choppy 12ft swell from the SSE with a short 9-second period and fresh cross-winds. That’s a messy, powerful beast. The 19th is blown out by a near gale. There are a few clean mornings, like the 13th of August with a 5ft WSW swell, but the winds are cross-offshore, not perfectly clean. The 17th remains the true standout.
Overall, it’s a two-week wait for the magic. The first week is a right-off, but the second week offers a few solid windows, with the 17th being the absolute best on offer. Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Fri morning, min 5°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 90mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Sat night, light winds from the N by Sun afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1400 | 753 | 862 | 555 | 335 | 177 | 178 | 98 | 71 | 191 | 799 | 650 | 489 | 979 | 411 | 325 | 286 | 904 | 773 | 722 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:25AM3.08m | 1:53PM2.91m | 2:12AM2.94m | 2:45PM2.80m | 3:10AM2.80m | 3:53PM2.70m | 4:26AM2.71m | 5:26PM2.72m | 5:56AM2.72m | 6:49PM2.88m | 7:13AM2.86m | 7:51PM3.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:24PM0.64m | 7:49AM0.61m | 8:11PM0.78m | 8:36AM0.74m | 9:07PM0.92m | 9:33AM0.87m | 10:16PM1.02m | 10:50AM0.95m | 11:44PM1.00m | 12:22PM0.89m | 1:05AM0.83m | 1:34PM0.70m | 2:06AM0.60m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  |  | |  | |  |  |  | |  |  | | | |
 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — |
 | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 25 | 15 | 39 | 9 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | -3 | -2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 13 | WSW 12 | W 9 | WNW 11 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 18 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 |
| kJ | 1400 | 753 | 862 | 555 | 335 | 177 | 178 | 98 | 39 | 191 | 44 | 41 | 37 | 276 | 418 | 343 | 702 | 904 | 773 | 722 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SW 12 | WSW 14 | S 9 | WSW 19 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 |
| kJ | 592 | 487 | 36 | 37 | 66 | 23 | 20 | 9 | 71 | 20 | 2 | 35 | 48 | 108 | 411 | 325 | 286 | 284 | 201 | 98 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | W 8 | W 7 | SSE 9 | WSW 11 | S 16 | S 14 | WSW 19 | S 11 | W 8 | W 9 | WSW 17 | — | WSW 8 | WSW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 61 | 53 | 50 | 42 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 72 | 2 | 71 | 76 | 202 | — | 20 | 11 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 5 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | SE 4 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | 282 | 487 | 132 | 90 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 51 | 799 | 650 | 489 | 979 | — | — | 20 | 407 | 326 | 166 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 29 | 24 | 24 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 111 | 0 | 8 | 91 | 98 | 72 | 94 | 164 | 72 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Middleton Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Middleton Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Middleton Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Middleton Bay 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 (Middleton Bay) 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 Middleton Bay 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 Middleton Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Taranaki, consider staying in New Plymouth which is 49 km (30 miles) away.
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