Surf Forecasts:
Papatowai surf forecast from 10 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 13 Nov, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 17 Nov, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 13s period, WSW swell with 5,619 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 11 Nov, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Papatowai this week:
The surf forecast for Papatowai over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Nov 11) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Papatowai in the next 16 days are 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Nov 17) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Nov 12) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 11th Nov) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Fri 13th Nov) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Tue 17th Nov) | 13ft (4.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papatowai over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the W by Thu morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the W by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 10 | Wednesday 11 | Thursday 12 | Friday 13 | Saturday 14 | Sunday 15 | Monday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 8 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 667 | 1123 | 650 | 608 | 1140 | 1474 | 1289 | 988 | 2876 | 3513 | 3543 | 2499 | 1496 | 1082 | 595 | 384 | 309 | 915 | 3013 | 4067 | 3174 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:01PM1.80m | 4:26AM1.87m | 4:42PM1.76m | 5:08AM1.83m | 5:25PM1.70m | 5:52AM1.77m | 6:09PM1.64m | 6:38AM1.71m | 6:56PM1.58m | 7:27AM1.65m | 7:46PM1.53m | 8:17AM1.60m | 8:38PM1.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:06PM0.30m | 10:35AM0.38m | 10:49PM0.35m | 11:20AM0.44m | 11:35PM0.41m | 12:08PM0.50m | 00:23AM0.47m | 12:59PM0.54m | 1:14AM0.51m | 1:51PM0.57m | 2:07AM0.54m | 2:43PM0.58m | 2:59AM0.54m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | | |  | |  | |
 | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:54 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | ENE 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 14 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 361 | 272 | 314 | 202 | 1140 | 1474 | 1289 | 765 | 52 | 39 | 3543 | 2499 | 1496 | 1082 | 595 | 384 | 309 | 915 | 17 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 15 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | SSE 9 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 8 | 106 | 608 | 142 | 180 | 108 | 68 | — | — | 29 | 47 | 44 | 38 | 158 | 106 | 16 | 14 | 8 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | NE 8 | SW 20 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 263 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 59 | 23 | 16 | 37 | 108 | 155 | 56 | 23 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | WNW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | SW 12 | SW 13 | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NW 3 | WSW 6 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 667 | 1123 | 650 | 3 | 29 | 7 | 237 | 988 | 2876 | 3513 | — | — | — | — | 35 | 32 | 6 | 83 | 3013 | 4067 | 3174 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 136 | 140 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 109 | 78 | 78 | 424 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Catlins | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Papatowai Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Papatowai provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Papatowai can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Papatowai 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 (Papatowai) 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 Papatowai 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.
Papatowai is 88 km (55 miles) from the city of Invercargill. If you plan a holiday in Catlins, look for hotels and other accommodation in Invercargill. Invercargill has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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