Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 4,035 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tauranga Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tauranga Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for Tauranga Bay.
We’ve got a solid run of surf on the way, starting off Thursday the 13th and running through to Monday the 17th, with a few fun windows from the 19th as well.
Thursday morning kicks things off, but it’s a bit average – cloudy with a cross-off wind from the ENE at 9 mph. Swell is around 6 ft from the WNW, but with only 10 seconds between waves, it lacks punch. The combined energy is moderate (905). It’s rideable but not the best.
Thursday afternoon is where it starts to get interesting. The wind goes light from the NE at 6 mph, still cross-off, and the swell drops to 3 ft but switches to the WSW and picks up a real long period of 17 seconds. That’s a nice groundswell. The energy jumps to 1246 – moderate but quality. For experienced surfers, this is clean and has some shape. Water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.
Friday morning the 14th looks clean and glassy – clear skies, wind from the SSE at only 3 mph, cross-off. Swell is 3 ft at 18 seconds from the WSW. That’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is moderate (962). It’s small, but if you know the bank, it’ll be clean and lined up. Friday afternoon gets messy though – wind swings SW and picks up to 12 mph, cross, with chop. Skip it.
Saturday the 15th morning is a standout, but you gotta be an expert. Swell hits 10 ft from the WSW at 16 seconds – that’s a big, long-period groundswell. Combined energy is strong at 3792. Wind is light from the SSW at 9 mph, cross-off, and conditions are clean. This is for experienced surfers only. The swell direction matches the optimum. If you’re not solid, stay on the beach.
Sunday the 16th is another beauty. Morning has offshore ESE wind at 6 mph, clean, with 8 ft from the WSW at 15 seconds. Energy is strong at 2877. Afternoon stays clean with S wind at 6 mph, cross-off, same swell but dropping a hair to 8 ft. Both windows are excellent for experienced surfers.
Monday the 17th morning keeps the quality – offshore E wind at 3 mph, clean, 6 ft WSW groundswell at 14 seconds. Energy is moderate (1419). Afternoon goes cross-on from the W with light wind ripples – still rideable but not as clean.
Tuesday the 18th morning is okay – offshore E wind, 5 ft at 10 seconds, clean but shorter period. Afternoon gets choppy with a 12 mph SW cross-wind.
Wednesday the 19th is worth a paddle. Morning has ENE cross-off at 6 mph, clean, 5 ft WSW swell at 16 seconds. Energy is moderate (1482). Wednesday afternoon has light NNE cross-wind, 6 ft at 15 seconds – still moderate energy (1519) but a little bumpy.
From the 20th to the 22nd, things fade. Morning sessions on Thursday and Friday the 20th and 21st are clean but small – 5 ft and 4 ft respectively. Saturday the 22nd is a write-off – poor conditions. Then Sunday the 23rd morning is back to clean but tiny at 3 ft.
Monday the 24th looks blown out with strong NNE winds up to 28 mph and messy 8 ft swell. Not for surfing. Tuesday the 25th cleans up again with ENE cross-off at 9 mph, 5 ft at 13 seconds – a decent session.
The best on offer? Saturday the 15th morning all the way. Big 10 ft WSW groundswell, clean, light wind, strong energy (3792). That’s the standout for experts. For the intermediate surfer, Sunday the 16th morning and Wednesday the 19th morning are your windows – solid swell, clean, and consistent.
Crowds can show up here sometimes, so get in early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WSW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
408 | 543 | 640 | 671 | 422 | 662 | 3327 | 3792 | 3441 | 3745 | 2877 | 2394 | 1191 | 1419 | 1111 | 920 | 399 | 383 | 896 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | off |
High Tide | 10:22PM3.07m | 10:49AM2.97m | 11:08PM3.14m | 11:34AM3.00m | 11:52PM3.14m | 12:16PM2.97m | 00:34AM3.06m | 12:57PM2.88m | 1:15AM2.91m | 1:37PM2.75m | 1:55AM2.72m | 2:18PM2.59m | 2:38AM2.51m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:38AM-0.03m | 4:56PM0.02m | 5:24AM-0.09m | 5:41PM-0.01m | 6:07AM-0.07m | 6:23PM0.03m | 6:49AM0.02m | 7:05PM0.14m | 7:30AM0.18m | 7:47PM0.30m | 8:11AM0.37m | 8:31PM0.49m | |||||||
— | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | 7 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WSW 16 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 |
593 | 543 | 606 | 402 | 243 | 662 | 3327 | 3792 | 3441 | 3745 | 2877 | 2394 | 1191 | 1419 | 1111 | 920 | 399 | 383 | 289 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | N 8 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 10 | — | — | — | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 17 |
408 | 241 | 640 | 671 | 297 | 165 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 335 | — | — | — | 307 | 312 | 896 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | N 7 | N 6 | WSW 18 | W 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 18 | WSW 19 | — |
180 | 362 | 88 | 22 | 422 | 369 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 57 | 72 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 29 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tauranga Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tauranga Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tauranga Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tauranga Bay 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 (Tauranga Bay) 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 Tauranga Bay 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 West Coast South Island? If you are looking for accommodation near Tauranga Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in West Coast South Island, consider staying in Nelson which is 161 km (100 miles) away.











