
Surf Forecasts:
Stent Road surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 6,032 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Stent Road this week:
The surf forecast for Stent Road over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Stent Road in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Stent Road over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. It’s been a rough stretch for the South West, but there’s a glimmer of hope if you’re willing to wait and pick your moments. The early part of the outlook is a write-off, so save your energy for later next week.
The first few days are a total mess. Friday the 17th through Sunday the 19th is all cross-onshore wind, with swell hanging around 7 ft to 8 ft from the WSW, but the period is long (14 to 16 seconds) – that’s proper groundswell. The problem is the wind. It’s cross-on at 15 to 19 mph, and the combined swell energy is strong (2099 to 2833), but the conditions are just poor. Choppy and lumpy. You’d be wasting your time.
Monday the 20th is where it starts to turn. The morning is still a bit iffy with a light onshore breeze and 7 ft WSW swell at 14 seconds, but the energy is still moderate (1605). The afternoon is the real story: glassy. A tiny NNE breeze at 3 mph, the swell drops just a fraction to 6 ft, and the period holds at 14 seconds. The energy is still moderate (1389), but clean glassy conditions make this a standout for the week. The wave set-up looks good for experienced surfers – that long-period groundswell will be lining up nicely at Stent Road, a reef and point break that’s exposed to the SW. It’s a consistent, advanced-level spot, so this isn’t for beginners. Water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no drama there. Crowds are often a factor, so expect company.
Tuesday the 21st morning cleans up with a cross-off SSE breeze at 9 mph and 5 ft swell from the WSW, period 13 seconds. The energy drops to moderate (820). It’s clean, but not as punchy as Monday afternoon. Tuesday afternoon goes cross-on again, so that’s a no-go.
Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are a mixed bag. Wednesday is a dud with short-period wind swell (7 seconds) and cross-on winds. Thursday morning, however, is a glimmer: a light cross-off NNE breeze, 4 ft WSW swell at 12 seconds, and clean conditions. The energy is moderate (551). Worth a paddle if you’re keen on a smaller, cleaner wave, but it’s not a standout.
Then we hit a dead zone. Friday the 24th through Tuesday the 28th is mostly poor, with strong winds, lumpy conditions, and only small windows of marginal surf. The exception is Saturday the 25th morning – a 10 ft WNW swell at 9 seconds, but it’s short-period and cross-on, so it’s messy, and the energy is strong (2820). That afternoon is a write-off with 28 mph winds. Sunday the 26th morning is where it gets interesting again: a 10 ft WSW swell with 14-second period, and – get this – offshore ENE wind at 12 mph. The combined energy is very strong (3740). This is a big, powerful groundswell with clean offshore conditions. It’s excellent for experienced surfers, but 10 ft is serious juice. Expert-only territory. The rest of the week is a mix of cross-off winds and building swell, but nothing as clean as that Sunday morning.
The final standout is Saturday the 1st of August. This one is a big call that far out, but it’s looking exceptional. Glassy conditions with a slight SSE breeze, and a solid 13 ft WSW groundswell at 15 seconds. The combined energy is extreme (6995). That’s a massive, clean, long-period swell – perfect for a reef and point like Stent Road. It’s for experts only, and the crowds will be inevitable. If you’ve got the skills and the patience, this is the one to circle on the calendar. Promising, but it’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.
If you’re not a hardcore surfer, most of this run is too big or too messy. The kite crew might be eyeing the stronger wind days, especially Saturday the 25th and later in the second week, but for paddle surfing, the best bets are Monday the 20th afternoon, Sunday the 26th morning, and that big Saturday the 1st of August morning.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 7 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2629 | 1670 | 2261 | 1980 | 1693 | 1748 | 2705 | 2058 | 2008 | 2119 | 1601 | 1382 | 863 | 722 | 587 | 543 | 192 | 142 | 133 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:24PM3.41m | 11:47AM3.15m | 00:10AM3.34m | 12:32PM3.06m | 00:54AM3.20m | 1:18PM2.92m | 1:38AM3.01m | 2:05PM2.77m | 2:24AM2.79m | 2:54PM2.61m | 3:14AM2.59m | 3:50PM2.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:43AM0.01m | 5:58PM0.03m | 6:29AM0.08m | 6:44PM0.16m | 7:15AM0.21m | 7:30PM0.33m | 8:01AM0.37m | 8:18PM0.54m | 8:48AM0.55m | 9:09PM0.74m | 9:39AM0.72m | 10:06PM0.91m | |||||||
— | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | SW 12 | WSW 6 |
1130 | 1670 | 2261 | 1980 | 1693 | 1748 | 2705 | 2058 | 2008 | 2119 | 1601 | 1382 | 863 | 722 | 587 | 543 | 180 | 142 | 77 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 24 | S 23 | S 21 | WSW 8 | NNW 11 | NW 10 | N 10 | W 20 | S 6 | S 5 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | SW 11 |
— | — | — | — | — | 11 | 10 | 9 | 298 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 31 | 62 | 8 | 55 | 86 | 87 | 133 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 23 | — | — | — | — | — | S 20 | S 19 | WSW 19 | WSW 19 | S 9 | N 7 | N 7 | WSW 15 |
— | — | — | — | — | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | 36 | 34 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 84 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | SSE 4 |
2629 | 429 | 572 | 1051 | 882 | 654 | 590 | 753 | 382 | — | — | — | 246 | — | — | 82 | 192 | 137 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 46 | 250 | 243 | 243 | 243 | 180 | 33 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 112 | 46 | 46 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Taranaki | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Stent Road Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Stent Road provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Stent Road can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Stent Road 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 (Stent Road) 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 Stent Road 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Taranaki? If you are looking for accommodation near Stent Road, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Taranaki, consider staying in New Plymouth which is 33 km (20 miles) away.










