Tauranga Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Tauranga Bay. This spot is a beach and point setup that’s fairly consistent and it’s got a real sweet spot for swell out of the WSW. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is bang on average for the time of year, so nothing unusual there.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but Tuesday morning the 28th of July kicks things off with a clean 4 ft swell from the west, a 11-second period, and glassy conditions with a light ESE wind. The energy is moderate at 399. It’s a nice little intro, but the real standout is going to be Wednesday morning the 29th. That morning you’ll see a 4 ft WSW swell but with a long 14-second period, a clean cross-off wind from the ENE, and the energy jumps up to 722. That’s shaping up as a quality session for intermediate surfers.

Things get a bit more serious from there. Thursday morning the 30th still has clean 4 ft WSW swell with a 14-second period, but by Thursday afternoon the wind swings to a fresh 22 mph from the NNE, creating lumpy cross-chop, and the swell jumps to 6 ft but with a short 8-second period. That’s messy. Friday the 31st is a write-off for paddling – strong onshore winds at 28 mph, big 8 ft to 13 ft west swell, and the energy is through the roof at 2506 to 3513, but it’s pure windblown chaos. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than anything else.

Saturday the 1st of August looks incredible on paper – clean 12 ft to 10 ft west swell with a 13-second period, glassy or light offshore winds, and energy from 2517 to 4023. But honestly, that’s way too big for this break unless you’re an expert. The swell is predicted to be too big for Tauranga Bay, so only the heaviest crew need apply.

Now, here’s where it gets good again. Sunday morning the 2nd of August drops back to a clean 6 ft WSW swell with a 10-second period, light offshore wind, and moderate energy at 725. That’s a solid session. But the real highlight of the whole outlook is Monday the 3rd of August. Morning and afternoon both deliver 6 ft to 6 ft WSW swell with a very long 18-second and 17-second period, clean cross-off winds, and energy readings of 1952 and 1929. That’s groundswell, that’s energy, and those waves are going to be powerful and well-shaped. This is an excellent window for experienced surfers – the point should handle that long period beautifully.

Tuesday the 4th keeps the run going with 6 ft to 6 ft WSW swell, 15-second and 14-second periods, and clean offshore winds in the morning. Energy is strong at 1415 to 1510. Wednesday the 5th is another stunner – 6 ft to 5 ft WSW swell, 14-second period, and glassy conditions in the afternoon with a light SW wind. Energy is still solid at 1273 and 1005. That’s three days of quality.

Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th offer a mix. Thursday eases to 3 ft and 3 ft with glassy conditions, still clean, but smaller. Friday morning the 7th brings back a bigger 8 ft WSW swell with a 10-second period, clean offshore wind, and strong energy at 1493 – that’s for experts only. The afternoon picks up a bit of cross-on wind.

The second week sees the swells drop off a bit. Saturday the 8th has 5 ft to 3 ft, Sunday the 9th is tiny with 2 ft to 3 ft but a very long 21-second period – that’s more of a point break wave, but it’s small. Monday the 10th is a clean 4 ft, Tuesday the 11th has a punchy 6 ft with a 14-second period and clean offshore – that’s another good one for experienced surfers. Wednesday the 12th finishes small and glassy at 3 ft.

Overall, the standout windows are Wednesday the 29th of July for a nice clean session, and then the run from Monday the 3rd of August through Wednesday the 5th of August is the absolute best of the lot – clean, powerful, long-period groundswell with excellent conditions. Crowds are possible at Tauranga Bay, so get in early on those days.

Rusty.

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