Tauranga Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. A bit of a slow start to the outlook, but once the energy shows up, Tauranga Bay has a proper run ahead. The big story is a serious pulse of groundswell rolling in around the 6th and 7th, but for most of us, the real sweet spot is that stretch from Wednesday the 8th right through to Saturday the 11th. Let’s break it down.

First up, early this Saturday the 4th is a write-off. We’re looking at a messy 8 ft WNW swell with a strong, lumpy cross-shore wind. The combined energy is high at 1445, but it’s just poor surf. That trend holds through Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon, the wind drops right back and the swell settles to 6 ft from the west at 11 seconds, and there’s a chance of a passable wave, but it’s rated marginal at best. Monday the 6th is a monster day for the crew who know what they’re doing – an 12 ft WSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period and clean offshore cross-off winds, but the combined energy (6098) is massive, and it’s too big for most. Monday afternoon is still huge at 10 ft (4883), clean, again for experts only. Tuesday the 7th is still solid, with a 5 ft to 5 ft WSW swell but the energy is still high and the tide is messing with conditions, so nothing to get too excited about.

Now here’s where it gets good. Wednesday the 8th is the standout. Morning brings a clean 4 ft WSW swell, period a nice 13 seconds, and light offshore from the ESE (10 km/h). The combined energy is a moderate 511, which is perfect for a long, fun session on the points. The water temp – well, it’s about average for the time of year down here, nothing unusual. Thursday the 9th is even better, with a 6 ft WSW swell at 15 seconds, clean offshore again, and the energy jumps to 1571 – that’s proper push with shape. Friday the 10th is glassy in the afternoon, 5 ft WSW at 16 seconds, combined energy 1003, absolutely clean. Saturday the 11th holds that quality, with morning offshore and afternoon glass, 4 ft to 5 ft, 16 seconds. This whole block from Wednesday the 8th to Saturday the 11th is the pick of the forecast. Tauranga Bay (Westport) is a beach and point setup, exposed to the WSW, and it’s fairly consistent with offshore from the ESE. Crowds are sometimes an issue, so an early paddle is worth your while.

Mid-week the 13th and 14th fades to small, marginal surf, under 3 ft, with onshore winds picking up. Then we get another pulse around Wednesday the 15th – an 8 ft NNW swell with 9-second period, combined energy 1733, and a gentle offshore, but that short period means it’ll be a bit bumpy. Thursday the 16th is better, a clean 7 ft W swell at 14 seconds, energy 1922, offshore wind, great for experienced surfers. Friday the 17th is similar, 8 ft WSW with 12 seconds, clean. But that’s getting into the second week, so treat those as promising but less certain.

If you’re gunning for one session, lock in Thursday the 9th – 6 ft WSW, 15-second groundswell, clean offshore – that’s the one. Second best is Friday afternoon the 10th or Saturday the 11th for pure glass.

Rusty.

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