Pataua surf break

Pataua surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Thursday 14 May 2026 NZST
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
18.9° C
(Which is 1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

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 Sunday (May 17) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 17) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Thursday (May 21) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 17th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Best Surf 6PM (Sun 17th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sun 17th May)6ft (1.8m) 8s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu night, min 14°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thu
21
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
E
8
1
ENE
8
1.1
E
6
1.3
E
8
1.5
E
7
1.5
E
7
1.7
E
8
1.8
E
8
1.5
E
8
1.3
E
8
1.7
E
7
1.7
E
7
1.5
E
7
1.4
E
7
1.2
E
7
1.2
E
6
1.5
E
7
1.4
E
7
1.2
E
7
1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
253
144
92
217
217
204
359
408
262
187
274
311
216
189
131
119
193
200
150
120
99
Wind (km/h)
15
ESE
15
SE
15
SE
15
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
15
E
20
ESE
15
SE
15
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
15
SE
15
SSE
15
SE
15
SE
15
SE
10
SE
5
S
10
SW
0
WSW
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
glassy
off
glassy
High Tide
5:16AM1.98m
5:54PM1.99m
6:08AM2.05m
6:46PM2.11m
7:00AM2.11m
7:37PM2.21m
7:52AM2.14m
8:29PM2.26m
8:45AM2.13m
9:22PM2.28m
9:39AM2.10m
10:16PM2.25m
10:34AM2.03m
Low Tide
11:08PM0.37m
11:38AM0.16m
00:03AM0.29m
12:29PM0.06m
00:57AM0.21m
1:20PM-0.02m
1:51AM0.16m
2:11PM-0.06m
2:45AM0.13m
3:03PM-0.06m
3:39AM0.13m
3:57PM-0.02m
4:35AM0.16m
4:51PM0.05m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:11
7:11
7:11
7:13
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:24
5:24
5:23
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:21
1
1
1
Temp °C
16
15
15
16
16
15
16
15
14
16
15
15
16
15
16
16
16
16
15
14
16
13
12
12
13
12
11
13
11
11
13
11
12
13
12
13
13
14
14
14
13
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
E
8
1
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.1
N
12
0.5
E
11
0.5
E
11
0.3
ENE
12
1.1
ENE
8
1.5
E
8
0.4
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
11
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
14
1.4
E
7
1.2
E
7
0.5
ENE
9
0.1
E
14
0.2
E
14
1.2
E
7
1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
Energy kJ
253
144
68
3
63
61
26
165
262
34
23
4
4
189
131
42
4
16
150
120
99
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.1
N
11
0.5
E
10
0.4
ENE
10
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
13
0.2
E
13
0.2
E
13
0.1
E
12
Energy kJ
2
2
2
35
2
54
35
4
4
4
14
13
3
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
9
0.1
N
12
Energy kJ
2
2
3
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
ESE
7
1.1
E
6
1.3
E
8
1.5
E
7
1.5
E
7
1.7
E
8
1.8
E
8
1.3
E
8
1.7
E
7
1.7
E
7
1.5
E
7
0.9
E
6
1.2
E
6
1.5
E
7
1.4
E
7
0.3
SSW
3
Energy kJ
73
92
217
217
204
359
408
187
274
311
216
58
119
193
200
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
2
4
2
4
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
37
29
37
37
37
74
37
74
37
66
74
66
37
0
37
37
36
37
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
2
3
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
7
6
4
4
4
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
  • 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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