Tairua Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next 16 days at Tairua Bar are a real mixed bag, and for the most part, it’s gonna be a waiting game. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak waves with very little energy, but there are a couple of windows that will get the blood pumping. Let’s break it down.

We start off with a long, flat spell. From Wednesday the 2nd right through to Monday the 7th, the swell is tiny, mostly 0.7ft to 2ft, with energy levels barely cracking 20 or 30 (weak). The wind is often offshore or glassy, which is a tease – clean, but no push. You’ll be sitting on your board watching the horizon. There’s a period of several days here with nothing worth paddling for.

Then, on Monday the 7th, things start to shift. The morning sees a jump to 6ft from the NNW, but it’s a short period (8 seconds) and the energy reads 401 (moderate). The winds are cross-off, but the wave comment says “poor surf conditions,” so it’s not the one. The afternoon drops to 4ft from the N, with offshore wind and better energy (213), but still “very ordinary.” It’s a glimmer, but not a standout.

The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, hits on Saturday the 12th. This is the best on offer. Saturday morning brings a solid 8ft swell from the ESE, with a period of 7 seconds. The energy is strong at 623 (moderate-to-strong). The winds are light cross-off from the SSW at 10 km/h, and the conditions are described as “expect good surf conditions.” This is proper size, and Tairua Bar is a beach/bar setup, so with that short period, it’s going to be firing. That said, 8ft is only for experienced surfers – beginners should stay on the beach. The water temp is 59°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year (anomaly of +0.5°). Crowds are “sometimes” here, so you might have some company, but it’s worth it.

After that, the swell backs right off again. Through Sunday the 13th and into the next week, we’re back to tiny 1.0ft to 2ft waves with weak energy, mostly under 100. The wind stays clean or offshore, but the power is gone. The rest of the second week is a rinse and repeat of small, clean conditions that just don’t have the juice.

So, bottom line: if you’re an experienced surfer, circle Saturday the 12th in your calendar. That’s your day. The rest, you’re better off doing something else.

Rusty.

Read more