Tairua Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a good, hard look at the Tairua Bar outlook. We’ve got a full 16-day window ahead, and I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch for paddling. The first real hint of anything surfable doesn’t show up until late in the run, so we’re looking at a long, quiet gap for most of the period.

For the first week, from Monday 14 September right through to Saturday 26 September, it’s basically flat. We’re talking swell heights barely nudging 1 ft, and the combined wave energy is tiny, with values mostly between 10 and 65 (weak energy). Winds are all over the place, but the swell is just too small and weak to do anything with. It’s a real dry spell for Tairua Bar, and that’s just how it’s shaping up.

Things finally perk up on Sunday 27 September. The morning sees a pulse of 1 ft swell coming from the ESE, with a period of 13 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, meaning long lines and decent shape. The combined energy jumps to 75 (still moderate), and the key here is the wind: offshore from the WNW at just 3 mph. That’s glassy, clean conditions. The waves will be small, but for an advanced break like Tairua Bar, those clean, long-period runners will be rideable for the crew that knows the sandbanks. The crowd can show up sometimes here, so expect a few locals in the water. The water temp is around 59°, which is pretty normal for this time of year – no weird anomalies.

Sunday afternoon holds up with similar 1 ft ESE swell and a 13-second period, but the wind shifts to a light cross-off at 3 mph. Still clean, still fun for a small wave session. This is the only real standout in the whole forecast – a brief window of clean, small groundswell with ideal wind.

After Sunday, we drop back into the doldrums. Monday 28 September and Tuesday 29 September offer nothing but tiny, weak surf and offshore winds that don’t save it. The swell direction shifts to ESE again, but the energy is gone – values down to 30 and 49 (weak). It’s a straight-up flat spell to close out the forecast.

So, if you’re hanging out for a surf, circle Sunday 27 September on the calendar. The morning session with that offshore breeze and long-period groundswell is your best bet. Everything else is a dud. For such a low-energy run, don’t expect much. It’s one of those periods where the ocean takes a nap – forecasts can change though, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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