
Surf Forecasts:
Papatea Bay surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, W swell with 157 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Papatea Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Papatea Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Papatea Bay in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 16s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papatea Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Mon 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) | W 4 | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | N 9 | N 10 | N 10 | N 8 | N 10 | E 5 | ENE 4 | W 3 | W 4 | W 4 | WNW 4 | N 9 | W 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 16 | 17 | 51 | 42 | 119 | 45 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:03PM1.94m | 9:26AM1.77m | 9:54PM1.91m | 10:19AM1.73m | 10:43PM1.84m | 11:12AM1.68m | 11:32PM1.75m | 12:04PM1.62m | 00:21AM1.66m | 12:55PM1.56m | 1:10AM1.58m | 1:47PM1.52m | 2:00AM1.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:45PM-0.01m | 3:22AM0.05m | 3:37PM0.03m | 4:14AM0.07m | 4:28PM0.10m | 5:03AM0.11m | 5:19PM0.19m | 5:52AM0.16m | 6:09PM0.28m | 6:40AM0.23m | 6:59PM0.37m | 7:28AM0.30m | 7:50PM0.44m | ||||||||
7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | W 5 | W 5 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | SE 11 | SE 11 | WNW 4 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
269 | 273 | 169 | 120 | 113 | 75 | 45 | 11 | 38 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 12 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 10 | WNW 5 | NE 10 | N 9 | N 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | WNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 4 | N 8 | N 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | — | N 7 | SE 12 | N 9 | N 9 |
4 | 4 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 68 | 66 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 12 | 11 | — | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | — | NE 10 | — | — | E 24 | N 9 | NW 6 | N 9 | N 10 | N 10 | — | N 9 | N 10 | N 7 | N 9 | N 8 | N 10 | N 10 | N 6 | — |
4 | — | 4 | — | — | 11 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | W 5 | — | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | E 4 | — | — | W 3 | W 4 | W 4 | — | WNW 3 | W 4 |
9 | 16 | — | 51 | 42 | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 9 | — | — | 8 | 13 | 6 | — | 1 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 40 | 9 | 57 | 57 | 40 | 0 | 47 | 9 | 41 | 83 | 67 | 40 | 47 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 57 | 40 | 113 | 57 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Cape | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Papatea Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Papatea Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Papatea Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Papatea 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 (Papatea 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 Papatea 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.










