Papatea Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 37.66° S 177.85° E

Papatea Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Papatea Bay sea temperature is
16.5° C
1.2° 

Papatea Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


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 TypeTime (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 Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light 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
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
4
0.6
W
5
0.6
WNW
5
1.1
W
5
1
W
5
1.4
W
6
0.9
W
5
0.5
W
5
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
8
0.1
N
10
0.6
E
5
0.4
ENE
4
0.6
W
3
0.7
W
4
0.5
W
4
0.3
WNW
4
0.1
N
9
0.5
W
4
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
9
16
17
51
42
119
45
11
2
2
2
1
2
17
7
8
13
6
2
2
6
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
W
5
SE
20
WSW
15
WSW
15
SW
5
SSW
10
N
10
SSE
5
SSE
5
SSE
10
SE
5
SSE
5
WNW
5
WSW
15
WSW
15
WSW
5
ESE
0
S
10
W
10
W
Wind State
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:18
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:16
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
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
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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.

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