Tairua Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good look at what Tairua Bar has in store for us.

The next 16 days are a real mixed bag with a long quiet spell to start. After this weekend, the surf dries right up for the better part of a week before things get interesting again. Don’t get too excited early on, because the real juice is waiting out at the far end of the forecast.

Right, kicking off this Saturday the 25th, we’ve got a morning session on offer with a 6ft swell from the NW at a short, punchy 7 seconds. The west wind is offshore, keeping things clean, and the combined energy is moderate at 719. The water temp is 59°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there. That afternoon, the wind swings strong from the WSW and the swell drops right off, so the window is tight.

Sunday the 26th is a write-off for paddling. We’ve got tiny 2ft waves from the east with a long 11-second period, but it’s glassy in the morning. Still, just too small to get excited about with only 121 combined energy. That afternoon goes cross-on and choppy, so forget it.

From Monday the 27th right through to Wednesday the 7th of August, it’s mostly flat or very marginal. For about a week and a half, there’s nothing worth pointing the car at. There are a few moments with clean wind and tiny waist-high waves, but the energy just isn't there. It’s a proper dry spell.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Starting on Tuesday the 4th of August, a new swell starts to show. Tuesday morning brings a 7ft swell from the SE but with a short 6-second period and the wind is cross-off from the SSW. It’s a building trend. Wednesday the 5th sees 10ft from the east at 9 seconds, with clean cross-off winds. The combined energy jumps up to strong levels, around 1463 on Wednesday morning. This is big, powerful stuff.

But the real standout—and I mean the one to circle on your calendar—is Friday the 7th of August. The morning session is pumping with a solid 12ft easterly swell at 10 seconds. Combined energy is a massive 2281, that’s strong wave energy. The wind is cross from the south at 12 mph, keeping it reasonably clean. The afternoon is even cleaner with lighter cross-shore breezes. However, I have to be straight with you: this is too big for beginners. At 12ft, this is for experienced surfers only. The swell direction from the east is on the money for Tairua Bar, but at this size, you need to know what you’re doing. The long wait for a decent period like 10 seconds suggests better shaped waves and more power, but the size tames the fun for most.

If you’re an expert with a big-wave board, that Friday the 7th of August morning session at Tairua Bar is the pick of the bunch. For everyone else, this is a weekend to sit on the beach and watch.

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th still have size, with 12ft and 8ft respectively, but the wind turns onshore or cross-on, making conditions messy and less appealing. The energy stays high, but the quality drops.

So, to wrap it up: a long flat spell now, then a huge pulse of swell early August. The best surf is for experienced crew only, on Friday the 7th. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because it’s a long way out and things can change.

Rusty.

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