Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NW swell with 769 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with NW 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s is also forecast. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days. The water’s sitting at 61°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
First things first: the start of the window is a total bust. From Wednesday September 2nd through to at least Monday September 7th, the swell is tiny, mostly 1ft from the NE, and the wind is all wrong. It’s cross or cross-on for days, with the combined energy stuck in the weak range (24 to 162). The 6th and 7th see a bump in size to 5ft from the NNW, but a fresh 30 km/h cross-on wind turns it into a lumpy mess. Don’t even bother.
There’s a bit of a clearing on the 7th afternoon with a 2ft N swell and cleaner conditions, but it’s nothing special. The rest of the first week stays small and poor.
The one real standout comes on Friday September 11th. We finally get a proper offshore wind. The morning has a gentle 15 km/h offshore breeze from the S, with a 1ft NE swell and a 13-second period. The combined energy is weak at 90, but it’s clean. The afternoon is even better: 20 km/h offshore, same 2ft NE swell, energy up to 105. The wave comment says “surfable but very ordinary,” but for this stretch, that’s the gold. The offshore wind will groom it into something rideable. That’s your window.
The weekend after that is rough, with 40 km/h winds on Saturday 12th, and the rest of the second week offers only tiny, glassy mornings with 1.0ft to 1ft swells. The long periods (12-16 seconds) hint at decent shape, but there’s just no power behind them.
So here’s the call: skip the first week. That Friday 11th September is your best shot. The offshore wind will make the small NE swell clean. It’s not a bomb, but it’s the only real chance in this forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, strong winds from the NW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NE 10 | NE 11 | ENE 10 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NW 8 | NW 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NW 7 | NE 10 | NE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 21 | 19 | 11 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 56 | 37 | 25 | 29 | 19 | 25 | 143 | 769 | 262 | 55 | 15 | 9 | 19 | 23 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | off |
High Tide | 11:31AM2.49m | 11:52PM2.48m | 12:18PM2.47m | 00:40AM2.44m | 1:10PM2.42m | 1:33AM2.38m | 2:09PM2.36m | 2:31AM2.31m | 3:17PM2.33m | 3:36AM2.27m | 4:25PM2.34m | 4:46AM2.27m | 5:30PM2.40m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:26PM0.65m | 5:54AM0.56m | 6:18PM0.71m | 6:45AM0.60m | 7:13PM0.76m | 7:42AM0.65m | 8:15PM0.81m | 8:44AM0.67m | 9:22PM0.82m | 9:51AM0.67m | 10:31PM0.78m | 10:58AM0.62m | 11:36PM0.70m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | |  | | | |
 | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | NNW 8 | ENE 9 | N 8 | N 7 | NW 7 | NE 10 | NW 6 |
| kJ | 21 | 19 | 11 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 37 | 12 | 29 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 365 | 8 | 55 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 23 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 12 | ENE 10 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | N 10 | NW 5 | NW 19 | W 19 | ENE 9 | W 17 | NW 8 | NW 8 | N 6 | NE 16 | NE 9 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 25 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 55 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 23 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | SE 12 | N 11 | E 13 | — | — | — | NE 14 | N 10 | N 10 | W 10 | NW 17 | N 10 | N 10 | — | — | ENE 9 | NW 8 | ENE 9 | NW 12 | NE 17 |
| kJ | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 2 | WNW 3 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | — | — | NNW 6 | — | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | — | NW 5 | WSW 3 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 25 | 56 | — | — | 12 | — | 25 | 143 | 769 | 262 | 2 | 1 | — | 19 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 65 | 65 | 464 | 493 | 518 | 518 | 518 | 551 | 0 | 65 | 65 | 73 | 216 | 551 | 82 | 74 | 3 | 17 | 360 | 65 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||||
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 Northland? If you are looking for accommodation near Tauranga Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Northland, consider staying in Houhora which is 71 km (44 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Whangarei which is 93 km (58 miles) away
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