Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NNE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, NNE swell with 521 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period with NNE 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour for the crew who think in those numbers.
Honestly, the next couple of weeks are a mixed bag. There’s one window that’s worth a paddle, and the rest is pretty flat or messy. You’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for that one session.
The first real surfable day is late on Saturday, 29 August. Before that, Friday is a total bust – onshore wind and weak, short-period swell, so don’t even bother.
Saturday afternoon is your best bet. The wind swings offshore from the SSW, cleaning up Tauranga Bay nicely. We’re looking at a solid 7ft swell from the NNE, with a period of 8 seconds. That’s moderate wave energy (511) and with that offshore breeze, it’ll be glassy and clean. It’s a beginner-friendly wave – enough push to be fun, but not too heavy. The water temp is 61°, which is pretty average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Sunday morning drops to 4ft with cross-off wind, but it’s clean. The energy drops to 199, so it’s weaker. By Sunday afternoon, we’re down to 3ft and it just fades. From Monday through to Friday, 5 September, it’s tiny – under 3ft most days, often with cross-off or cross-shore winds. The wave energy is low, barely cracking 100. It’s a real flat spell.
Then we get a little pulse on Saturday, 5 September – 4ft from the NW, but with a short 6-second period and cross-off wind. It’s clean, but the energy is only 107, so it’s not going to be much fun. Sunday and Monday get a bit lumpy with onshore winds, and by Tuesday, 8 September, we see a big jump – 8ft from the NNW with 8-second period. That’s strong wave energy (945), but the wind is fresh cross-onshore and lumpy. That’s a choppy, blown-out mess – only for the experts, and honestly, it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.
After that, it drops off again. The rest of the second week is tiny – 1ft to 3ft, with mostly cross-off or cross-shore winds. The energy is low, and there’s nothing to get excited about.
The standout: If you’ve got one session to chase, make it Saturday afternoon, 29 August at Tauranga Bay. That 7ft NNE swell with offshore glassy wind is the best we’re going to see. It’s a beginner-friendly wave, clean, and with the rare offshore. Crowds are rare here, so you might even have it to yourself.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Fri afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 205 | 285 | 395 | 507 | 334 | 192 | 86 | 208 | 135 | 110 | 81 | 71 | 74 | 43 | 40 | 26 | 22 | 38 | 39 | 39 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:23PM2.38m | 8:37AM2.31m | 9:03PM2.44m | 9:20AM2.37m | 9:42PM2.49m | 10:03AM2.43m | 10:24PM2.52m | 10:46AM2.47m | 11:06PM2.51m | 11:31AM2.49m | 11:52PM2.48m | 12:18PM2.47m | 00:40AM2.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:24AM0.70m | 2:37PM0.62m | 3:04AM0.62m | 3:16PM0.58m | 3:45AM0.57m | 3:56PM0.58m | 4:26AM0.54m | 4:39PM0.60m | 5:08AM0.54m | 5:26PM0.65m | 5:54AM0.56m | 6:18PM0.71m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — |
mm | 3 | 12 | 18 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 5 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 395 | 507 | 334 | 192 | 86 | 208 | 135 | 110 | 81 | 71 | 74 | 43 | 40 | 26 | 22 | 38 | 39 | 39 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 12 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | NNW 7 | N 8 | E 12 | E 12 | WNW 5 | N 14 | N 14 | NW 6 | N 13 | NW 5 | N 12 | SE 6 | NW 4 | N 11 | N 11 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 32 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 15 | — | — | — | SE 6 | SE 6 | — | — | — | W 21 | N 14 | N 13 | S 5 | N 12 | — | N 11 | N 11 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 4 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 9 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 5 | — | — | — | WNW 4 | NW 3 | WNW 4 |
| kJ | 205 | 285 | — | — | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 113 | 112 | 60 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 65 | 493 | 10 | 518 | 10 |
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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