Surf Forecast Surf Report

Papatowai surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Friday 18 Apr 2025 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Papatowai surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Papatowai sea temperature is
14.1° C
(Which is 2.8°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Papatowai this week:

The surf forecast for Papatowai over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 18) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 2.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Papatowai in the next 12 days are 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 23) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Apr 23) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Fri 18th Apr)6ft (1.9m) 14s
Best Surf12PM (Wed 23rd Apr)11ft (3.5m) 17s
Most Powerful12PM (Wed 23rd Apr)11ft (3.5m) 17s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papatowai over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
Monday
28
Tuesday
29
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2
SW
1.9
SW
1.8
SW
1.5
SW
1.6
SW
1.4
SW
1.3
SW
1.3
SW
1.3
SW
1.1
SW
0.9
SW
1.5
SW
1.5
SW
1.4
SW
1.3
SSW
2.5
SSW
3
SSW
3
SSW
2.5
SSW
2.5
SSW
2
SSW
1.9
SSW
1.9
SW
1.6
SW
1.2
SW
0.9
SSW
1.8
ENE
1.8
ENE
1.1
SW
1.7
SW
1.7
SW
1.5
SW
3
ENE
2.4
ENE
2.3
ENE
3
SW
Period(s) (?)1515141416141413131212111111201716161414131413131315891415141310111116
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy (?)1812144613078621317821639569552379236553524488127342554646460629272194140112721218834480372412475465125410367441778143313724474
Wind
(km/h)
25
ENE
25
ENE
5
NNE
0
NW
5
S
10
WSW
5
W
15
SW
15
S
10
E
15
E
15
ENE
10
ENE
5
ESE
20
WSW
20
S
10
SE
10
ENE
10
NE
10
ENE
10
NNE
10
NNE
10
ENE
10
NNE
5
N
5
E
10
N
10
N
5
NE
5
N
5
SSE
10
E
10
NE
15
NE
20
ENE
15
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscrosscross-
off
offcross-
off
crossononononglasscross-
off
crosscross-
on
oncross-
on
oncrosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrossoncrosscrosscross-
on
crossglassoncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:18PM
1.62
6:38AM
1.50
7:11PM
1.59
7:33AM
1.48
8:09PM
1.59
8:32AM
1.50
9:08PM
1.63
9:30AM
1.57
10:04PM
1.71
10:25AM
1.67
10:57PM
1.81
11:18AM
1.80
11:48PM
1.91
12:09PM
1.94
12:38AM
2.00
1:00PM
2.06
1:27AM
2.06
1:52PM
2.16
2:17AM
2.09
2:44PM
2.20
3:09AM
2.08
3:38PM
2.19
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:10PM
0.57
12:48AM
0.62
1:04PM
0.59
1:45AM
0.63
2:00PM
0.57
2:40AM
0.59
2:56PM
0.51
3:33AM
0.52
3:50PM
0.40
4:23AM
0.41
4:41PM
0.28
5:11AM
0.29
5:32PM
0.15
5:59AM
0.16
6:22PM
0.05
6:47AM
0.06
7:13PM
-0.02
7:36AM
-0.02
8:05PM
-0.04
8:27AM
-0.05
8:59PM
-0.01
9:20AM
-0.03
9:55PM
0.06
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
Monday
28
Tuesday
29
Sunrise7:22--7:22--7:24--7:26--7:26--7:28--7:30--7:31--7:33--7:33--7:35--7:37--
Sunset-5:59--5:58--5:55--5:53--5:52--5:51--5:49--5:46--5:45--5:44--5:42--5:40-
cloudcloudpart cloudpart cloudpart cloudmod raincloudpart cloudcloudcloudcloudlight raincloudcloudlight raincloudpart cloudpart cloudclearclearclearpart cloudclearclearclearclearclearclearclearclearclearclearclearclearcloudpart cloud
Rain (mm)
-----6-----4--1---------------------
Temp. °C141413161613141412101111111111998101210151714171815171814141410141512
Feels °C (?)10101116151314121078891094546871215111617131516121212810119

Short Range Forecast: Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 6-9 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Long Range Forecast: Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.leaflet.map_placeholder_alt">Map Placeholder Alt</span>
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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 12 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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