Pataua Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.71° S 174.53° E

Pataua Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 20 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Pataua sea temperature is
15.9°C
0.8° 

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


Pataua surf forecast from 20 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 24 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 24 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, ESE swell with 117 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 24 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with ESE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pataua this week:

The surf forecast for Pataua over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 24) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Pataua in the next 16 days are 1.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 24) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Thu 24th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 6s
Best Surf 6PM (Thu 24th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 6s
Most Powerful12PM (Thu 24th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pataua over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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)
0.2
ESE
11
0.2
ESE
10
0.2
ESE
10
0.2
NNW
5
0.1
E
13
0.2
NNW
5
0.1
NE
12
0.1
SE
12
0.1
E
12
0.1
NE
11
0.2
ESE
9
1
ESE
7
0.6
ESE
6
0.2
E
15
0.2
ESE
13
0.3
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
13
0.3
ESE
13
0.4
ESE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
11
10
10
4
4
4
6
6
5
5
8
91
26
17
17
29
66
35
52
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
15
WSW
15
WSW
10
WNW
10
W
25
WSW
30
SSW
20
SW
25
SW
15
SW
15
SSE
15
ESE
10
SW
15
WSW
20
SW
15
W
15
W
20
W
25
W
Wind State
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
2:11AM1.58m
2:56PM1.66m
3:12AM1.57m
3:54PM1.69m
4:11AM1.60m
4:47PM1.74m
5:04AM1.66m
5:33PM1.82m
5:53AM1.75m
6:16PM1.91m
6:37AM1.85m
6:57PM1.99m
Low Tide
8:28AM0.55m
9:09PM0.67m
9:27AM0.54m
10:08PM0.63m
10:23AM0.51m
11:02PM0.55m
11:14AM0.45m
11:49PM0.45m
12:02PM0.37m
00:33AM0.34m
12:46PM0.31m
1:15AM0.23m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:11
6:09
6:09
6:07
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:16
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:20
6:20
 mm
3
Temp °C
14
16
16
12
20
17
12
14
15
11
11
12
11
13
14
12
13
15
14
Feels °C
8
12
12
9
18
13
5
9
8
7
6
7
6
10
8
9
9
11
12
  • 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 Pataua Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Pataua provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Pataua can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Pataua 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 (Pataua) 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 Pataua 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.

Pataua is 18 km (11 miles) from the city of Whangarei. If you plan a holiday in Northland, look for hotels and other accommodation in Whangarei. Whangarei has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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