Tairua Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, looking at your local stretch. To be honest, it’s looking lean for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long stretch of small, messy conditions ahead, so don’t get your hopes up too high.

Alright, let’s start with the big picture. The first few days are a write-off. Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd have tiny swell around 0.7ft to 1ft, mostly from the NE or ENE with periods around 9 to 10 seconds. The combined energy is weak, sitting between 15 and 22. It’s clean enough, but there’s just no power to work with. Friday the 4th brings a bump in size up to 4ft from the NNW, but with a short period of just 5 to 6 seconds, it’s choppy and cross-shore, making it a messy affair. The combined energy climbs to 88, but it’s still not enough to get excited about.

Saturday the 5th is a tease. The morning sees a tiny 1ft from the NNW with a 6-second period, but the wind is offshore from the WSW, so it’s clean. The afternoon drops to 0.7ft from the ENE with an 11-second period, still offshore. It’s glassy-looking, but the swell is just too small to ride. The water temperature is about 59°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real standout is a bit of a stretch. Monday the 7th afternoon has a 3ft NE swell with an 8-second period and offshore winds from the WSW. The combined energy hits 129, which is moderate, but the wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s not stellar, but it’s the best we’ve got in the first week. The swell direction is from the N, which is close to the optimum NE for Tairua Beach, so it’s okay. Honestly, for a beginner-friendly spot, it’s a bit weak, but if you’re desperate, you could get a few small ones.

Moving into the second week, it’s a real grind. From Tuesday the 8th through to Thursday the 10th, we’ve got tiny swell, mostly under 2ft, with cross-off or cross winds. The combined energy stays below 100. Not worth paddling out for. Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th have some longer period swell from the NE at 13 seconds, but it’s coming in with strong onshore or cross-shore winds from the E and ESE, gusting up to 18 to 22 mph. The combined energy is only around 50, and the conditions are lumpy and choppy. It’s a no-go.

Sunday the 13th morning is glassy with a 1ft NE swell and a 13-second period, but the combined energy is just 44. It’s clean, but there’s no grunt. Monday the 14th morning has a similar story with 1ft from the NE and a 12-second period, combined energy of 73, and light offshore winds. It’s clean, but tiny. The rest of the week through to Thursday the 17th is more of the same: small swell, often cross-shore, and under 1ft. The combined energy never really gets above 100.

The only other flash of something is Tuesday the 15th morning, with a 3ft E swell, but it’s a short 5-second period and combined energy of 122. The wind is light cross-shore, and it’s messy. Not worth the drive.

So, what’s the best on offer? If you’re hardcore, Monday the 7th afternoon is the pick. It’s not great, but it’s the only window with a little bit of size and clean offshore wind. The rest of the 16 days is a flat, windy mess. For a beginner spot like Tairua Beach, you’re better off waiting for a proper pulse. The setup is so small and weak that even the kite surfers would be bored.

Keep your stick in the car, but don’t get your hopes up. Things can change, but right now, it’s a quiet run.

Rusty.

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