Papatowai surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Tuesday 16 Dec 2025 NZDT
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
14.4° C
(Which is 3.1°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 Wednesday (Dec 17) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Papatowai in the next 12 days are 2.4m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Friday (Dec 19) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 17th Dec)6.5ft (2.0m) 16s
Best Surf 1AM (Wed 17th Dec)6.5ft (2.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 7AM (Wed 17th Dec)8ft (2.4m) 15s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat morning, calm by Mon morning).

Tue
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
2
2
3
2
3
3
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.1
SW
2
SW
2.4
SW
2.3
SW
1.8
SW
1.5
SW
1.6
SW
2.1
SW
1.6
SW
1.6
SW
2
SW
1.9
SW
2.5
SW
2.5
SW
2.5
SW
2.3
SSW
2.2
SSW
2.1
SSW
2.5
SSE
2.5
SSE
1.9
SSE
Period(s) (?)161614141312111212111313121211109811109
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2193184723501884110361462212936995791319117319661745152392267354716041250592
Wind
(km/h)
10
ENE
15
WSW
15
WSW
20
SW
10
WNW
10
W
20
WSW
15
SW
5
W
10
W
20
W
30
WSW
30
SW
25
WSW
25
SW
20
SW
10
WSW
5
ESE
25
E
25
ENE
15
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offoffoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offglassoncross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:32AM
1.72
1:48PM
1.68
2:13AM
1.77
2:28PM
1.70
2:53AM
1.81
3:08PM
1.72
3:33AM
1.83
3:47PM
1.73
4:12AM
1.84
4:25PM
1.73
4:51AM
1.83
5:04PM
1.72
5:30AM
1.81
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:06PM
0.41
7:32AM
0.45
7:47PM
0.39
8:15AM
0.44
8:28PM
0.38
8:57AM
0.43
9:10PM
0.36
9:39AM
0.42
9:51PM
0.35
10:21AM
0.42
10:33PM
0.34
11:03AM
0.42
11:15PM
0.35
11:46AM
0.43
Tue
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Sunrise--5:43--5:43--5:43--5:43--5:43--5:45--5:45
Sunset9:30--9:31--9:31--9:32--9:34--9:34--9:35--
heavy rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
heavy rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
191-----99644241----151
Temp. °C101014151218181389891191112813131211
Feels °C (?)85101091514106432435649888
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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