Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, NW swell with 305 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period with NNW 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 0.8m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the next couple of weeks at Tauranga Bay. Straight up, I’m not gonna lie to you – this is a rough stretch. We’ve got a long, flat spell to get through before we see anything worth paddling out for.
The first solid opportunity doesn’t roll in until the 11th of September. Before that, from the 31st of August right through to the 10th of September, it’s pretty much a write-off. We’re looking at a solid 11-day drought with tiny, weak swell and wind that’s mostly cross-off or cross-on, keeping things messy. There’s a few glassy mornings around the 8th, 9th, and 10th, but the swell is barely a ripple – 0.3 ft to 0.6 ft – so you’d be better off floating on a pool toy.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on the morning of Friday, the 11th. It’s a tiny 1 ft ESE swell with a 9-second period, and the wind is glassy out of the west. The wave energy is weak (60), so it’s not going to be a world-class session, but it’s clean and surfable. That’s the best you’re going to get for a while, and it’s a beginner-friendly option.
Then we get a spike on the Saturday the 12th. The swell jumps up to 5 ft from the east, with a short 8-second period, and the combined energy gets moderate (344). However, the wind is onshore from the NNE, making it choppy and lumpy. The water temp is sitting at 61°, which is about normal for this time of year – nothing to get excited about.
The pick of the whole period, if you can call it that, is Sunday the 13th in the afternoon. The wind swings to a light SW cross-off, cleaning up a 3 ft east swell. The energy is moderate (262), and the 10-second period means it’ll have a bit of shape. For a beginner spot like Tauranga Bay, it’s the best combination of clean conditions and a tiny bit of push. The crowds are rare here, so you’ll have the place to yourself.
Honestly, there’s no standout wave in this outlook. The swell is too small and the wind is rarely cooperating. If you’re a kite surfer, the afternoon of the 4th and 6th of September might look interesting with 6 ft of lumpy, windy swell, but for paddling, it’s a no-go. Keep your eyes on the long-range stuff – nothing is guaranteed, but it can’t stay this flat forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri morning, light winds from the SW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | ENE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 99 | 74 | 59 | 76 | 45 | 42 | 29 | 19 | 11 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 88 | 305 | 41 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 34 | 226 | 62 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 10:03AM2.43m | 10:24PM2.52m | 10:46AM2.47m | 11:06PM2.51m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:56PM0.58m | 4:26AM0.54m | 4:39PM0.60m | 5:08AM0.54m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | |  |  | | |
 | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | 99 | 74 | 59 | 76 | 45 | 42 | 29 | 19 | 11 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 41 | 15 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 62 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | N 15 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | N 12 | N 12 | ENE 10 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | NE 14 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NW 16 | NNW 5 | NW 13 | — | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 19 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 7 | — | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | E 12 | — | W 19 | N 13 | N 12 | — | E 12 | N 11 | E 13 | — | — | — | — | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | NW 14 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 3 | — | 7 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | — | W 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 3 | NW 4 | NW 6 | NW 7 | — | — | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | W 3 |
| kJ | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 88 | 305 | — | — | 13 | 15 | 34 | 226 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 493 | 65 | 463 | 518 | 518 | 518 | 518 | 112 | 0 | 65 | 547 | 216 | 549 | 551 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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