
Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, NW swell with 323 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s period with ESE 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tauranga Bay in the next 16 days are 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about the surf at Tauranga Bay.
Right now, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty quiet for Tauranga Bay. The water temp is sitting at about 62°, which is around average for this time of year – nothing unusual there. The first real standout doesn’t pop up until the 5th of August, so you’re looking at a solid gap of over a week with very little action. From Wednesday the 22nd through to Tuesday the 4th of August, it’s mostly small, weak, and ordinary – not worth getting excited about. There are a few mornings where it’s clean with light offshore or cross-off breezes, but the swell is tiny, mostly under 2ft, and the energy is low (often under 100). Just a few sessions on the 25th, 28th, and 29th of July have a bit more punch, with combined energy around 200 (moderate), but even then the waves are still small and the conditions are just “surfable but very ordinary.”
Now, the one true standout is on Wednesday the 5th of August. A solid pulse of swell arrives overnight, and by the morning you’ve got 8ft of north swell with a short period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps right up to 751 (strong) – this is the most juice we’ve seen all period. The wind is light and cross-off, keeping it clean. This is a big step up in size, probably too big for beginners. It’s a beach-break setup, and with that short period, it’s going to be a bit dumpy and fast, but for the experienced crew, this is the highlight. The afternoon sees that swell crank up even more to 12ft, but the wind switches to a light cross-on, so it’s a bit messier, and the energy goes through the roof at 3010 (very strong). Still, the morning is the pick.
After that, Thursday the 6th of August turns ugly with onshore northerly winds and rain, so that’s a write-off. The rest of the second week fades back into tiny, low-energy conditions.
So, bottom line: if you’re keen, circle the 5th of August for the morning session. That’s the only real standout in the whole 16-day window. The rest is a long, flat wait.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat night, light winds from the SW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 7 | E 8 | NW 5 | NW 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | NW 7 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
31 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 21 | 53 | 194 | 145 | 175 | 87 | 86 | 44 | 65 | 64 | 61 | 187 | 195 | 195 | 195 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:13PM2.30m | 2:28AM2.32m | 3:08PM2.23m | 3:16AM2.24m | 4:06PM2.19m | 4:08AM2.17m | 5:03PM2.18m | 5:03AM2.12m | 5:56PM2.19m | 5:58AM2.11m | 6:46PM2.22m | 6:48AM2.13m | 7:31PM2.26m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:11PM0.86m | 8:42AM0.76m | 9:05PM0.96m | 9:34AM0.83m | 10:02PM1.02m | 10:27AM0.88m | 10:59PM1.04m | 11:22AM0.89m | 11:53PM1.02m | 12:16PM0.85m | 00:42AM0.97m | 1:05PM0.80m | 1:28AM0.90m | ||||||||
7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 10 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | NW 7 | NW 7 | ESE 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 |
31 | 15 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 21 | 33 | 71 | 145 | 175 | 87 | 86 | 38 | 65 | 64 | 61 | 187 | 195 | 195 | 195 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | ESE 11 | NE 6 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | NE 7 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 10 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 17 | E 11 | E 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | N 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
9 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 98 | 62 | 23 | 11 | 58 | 37 | 23 | 56 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | NNE 7 | ESE 11 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | ESE 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 14 | — | NW 11 | E 18 | E 16 | ESE 15 | NW 7 | NW 7 | ESE 11 | — | — | — | — |
24 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 15 | — | 5 | 6 | 21 | 44 | 8 | 2 | 41 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 5 | NW 7 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WNW 6 | W 3 | SW 3 | S 3 | SW 2 | SW 2 | SW 2 | WSW 2 | W 4 | WSW 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 53 | 194 | 10 | 9 | 28 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 546 | 113 | 112 | 518 | 94 | 518 | 3 | 74 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 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










