Pataua surf break

Pataua surfForecast / Northland / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Thursday 29 Jan 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
21.1° 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 Thursday (Jan 29) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Pataua in the next 12 days are 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Feb 05) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Feb 03) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Thu 29th Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 10s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 30th Jan)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Most Powerful 1AM (Thu 5th Feb)7ft (2.1m) 8s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wed
04
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
1
1
0
2
2
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
E
0.4
E
0.4
E
0.4
ENE
0.7
ENE
0.7
ENE
1
ENE
1
N
1
N
1
N
0.9
N
0.9
N
0.7
N
0.7
ENE
0.7
NE
0.7
NE
0.6
NE
0.6
ENE
1.3
E
2
E
2.1
E
Period(s) (?)101091212121111111012111099999678
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)313030491501422222462201922101851027083836452104374487
Wind
(km/h)
0
N
0
E
15
ENE
10
SW
10
S
15
E
0
WNW
0
ENE
10
N
5
WSW
5
SW
15
NNE
10
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
15
SW
20
S
20
ESE
25
E
25
E
20
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glassglassonoffcross-
off
cross-
on
glassglasscross-
on
offglassoncrosscrosscrossoffcross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:14AM
1.88
4:31PM
1.86
5:20AM
1.93
5:37PM
1.88
6:24AM
2.00
6:40PM
1.92
7:23AM
2.08
7:39PM
1.97
8:17AM
2.15
8:34PM
2.01
9:08AM
2.20
9:25PM
2.03
9:55AM
2.21
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:26AM
0.46
10:56PM
0.25
11:34AM
0.43
12:00AM
0.21
12:40PM
0.37
1:01AM
0.15
1:40PM
0.30
1:58AM
0.09
2:35PM
0.22
2:50AM
0.06
3:26PM
0.16
3:39AM
0.05
4:14PM
0.13
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wed
04
Sunrise-6:35--6:35--6:37--6:37--6:39--6:39--6:41-
Sunset--8:32--8:31--8:31--8:30--8:30--8:29--8:28
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C202121202020182022202222212424211918191819
Feels °C (?)212120211918192022212222212426221613161416
  • 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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