
Surf Forecasts:
Pataua surf forecast from 15 Oct 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 16 Oct, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 17 Oct, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, SE swell with 209 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 16 Oct, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with NNW 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 Friday (Oct 16) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pataua in the next 16 days are 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Oct 17) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Friday (Oct 16) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Fri 16th Oct) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 16th Oct) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 17th Oct) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pataua over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Thu morning, light winds from the SSW by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 15 | Friday 16 | Saturday 17 | Sunday 18 | Monday 19 | Tuesday 20 | Wednesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | N 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NE 9 | SE 5 | SE 7 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | NE 10 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
270 | 239 | 147 | 66 | 23 | 55 | 209 | 68 | 40 | 68 | 73 | 36 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 16 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | off | off | cross-on | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:08AM1.98m | 11:20PM1.84m | 11:50AM1.91m | 00:02AM1.76m | 12:35PM1.83m | 00:48AM1.68m | 1:24PM1.76m | 1:38AM1.61m | 2:17PM1.71m | 2:34AM1.57m | 3:13PM1.69m | 3:34AM1.56m | 4:08PM1.70m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:20PM0.38m | 5:33AM0.30m | 6:03PM0.46m | 6:16AM0.38m | 6:49PM0.53m | 7:03AM0.45m | 7:39PM0.59m | 7:53AM0.51m | 8:34PM0.63m | 8:47AM0.55m | 9:31PM0.62m | 9:44AM0.56m | 10:28PM0.58m | ||||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | 7:36 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:40 | — | |
mm | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 17 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | N 7 | NE 10 | NNW 7 | N 7 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 7 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 9 |
37 | 239 | 23 | 66 | 23 | 23 | 15 | 24 | 40 | 68 | 73 | 36 | 32 | 18 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 16 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 16 | ENE 10 | N 11 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NNW 6 | NE 13 | E 17 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 11 | NE 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | N 12 | NE 11 |
5 | 36 | 3 | 23 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 27 | 25 | 15 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 16 | E 15 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 6 | N 18 | N 18 | ESE 14 | N 16 | N 16 | N 15 | N 15 | N 14 | N 14 | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | E 6 | NE 14 |
— | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | WSW 4 | NNW 7 | W 4 | SSW 4 | SE 5 | SE 7 | SE 6 | — | S 4 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | S 3 | — | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 3 |
270 | 22 | 147 | 35 | 16 | 55 | 209 | 68 | — | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | 15 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 387 | 20 | 8 | 0 | 125 | 156 | 31 | 95 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 109 | 139 | 126 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.









