Pataua surf break

Pataua surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Tuesday 10 Mar 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Pataua surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Pataua sea temperature is
21.3° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pataua this week:

The surf forecast for Pataua over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Mar 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Pataua in the next 12 days are 3.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Mar 11) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Mar 14) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sat 14th Mar)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Sat 14th Mar)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 1PM (Wed 11th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Mon night, fresh winds from the E by Tue night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Fri night, fresh winds from the SW by Sat morning).

Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Mon
16
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
NNE
0.4
N
2.1
E
3
E
3.5
E
3
E
3
E
2.5
ENE
2.3
ENE
2.3
ENE
2
ENE
1.8
ENE
1.5
ENE
0.5
N
0.6
N
0.5
N
0.5
N
0.3
N
0.4
N
0.3
N
0.4
NE
Period(s) (?)161568888888888141413131112129
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)48723441268151214171204831740687524439286102144848523452521
Wind
(km/h)
10
SSW
15
E
30
E
35
E
40
ESE
35
E
30
E
25
E
25
ENE
25
NE
20
NE
15
NNE
10
W
30
SW
30
SW
25
SW
15
SW
20
SW
10
SW
10
SW
10
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross-
off
offoffoffoffoffoffoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:39AM
1.85
12:51PM
1.78
1:24AM
1.77
1:36PM
1.69
2:14AM
1.70
2:27PM
1.62
3:10AM
1.65
3:24PM
1.58
4:11AM
1.65
4:25PM
1.57
5:10AM
1.68
5:24PM
1.61
6:03AM
1.76
6:19PM
1.68
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:48AM
0.46
7:07PM
0.39
7:34AM
0.55
7:54PM
0.47
8:24AM
0.63
8:46PM
0.53
9:21AM
0.68
9:43PM
0.55
10:23AM
0.68
10:42PM
0.54
11:23AM
0.64
11:39PM
0.49
12:18PM
0.55
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Mon
16
Sunrise-7:15--7:16--7:16--7:18--7:18--7:18--7:20-
Sunset--7:47--7:46--7:45--7:44--7:43--7:40--7:39
clear
rain showers
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-12511711233-2--------
Temp. °C192019191718192020212224212019172121182122
Feels °C (?)191715141113151718212225231413131818172020
  • 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 12 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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