Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 6s period, N swell with 290 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s 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 1.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Tauranga Bay. A tough stretch ahead, folks. We’re starting off with a real flat spell, and it’s going to take a while before anything worth paddling out for shows up.
For the first week, honestly, it’s grim. From Wednesday the 26th of August through to the end of the month, we’ve got tiny swell with barely any energy. The wave energy is weak (11 to 66). It’s mostly onshore or cross-shore winds, so it’ll be lumpy and messy. Even on the 30th (Sunday), when we get some clean conditions with a cross-offshore wind from the WSW at 19 mph, the swell is only 3ft from the NE with a weak 9-second period. It’s clean, but there’s just no power. A beginner might have a splash, but that’s about it.
We do get a little glimmer on Tuesday morning, 1st of September. The swell from NE is a meek 2ft, period at 10 seconds, giving us some longer lines, but the energy is still weak (65). The wind is light and cross-offshore from the WSW at 6 mph, so it’ll be clean. It’s surfable, but very ordinary.
There’s a long gap of very small, weak surf after that, through to the 6th of September. You’re looking at tiny 1.0ft to 2ft waves with almost no energy. It’s a real quiet period for Tauranga Bay.
Things might get interesting right at the end of the outlook. On Monday the 7th of September, a pulse of NNW swell arrives in the afternoon at 4ft, but with a very short period of 6 seconds, so it’ll be weak and choppy, with onshore winds from the N at 12 mph. The wave energy jumps to a moderate 202. Honestly, for a north-facing spot that prefers a NE swell, this direction is poor, and the wind is onshore. It’s a messy option. The next day, Tuesday the 8th, we have a NE swell at 3ft with an 8-second period, and light variable winds, but it’s still onshore from the N. The wave energy is moderate (109), but the quality is poor.
The standout in this whole outlook, if you can call it one, is Tuesday morning, 1st of September. It’s not big, but it’s the only period where the conditions actually line up for a clean, surfable wave. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there. It’s a Tauranga Bay kind of morning—quiet, clean, and small. For a beginner, that’s your best bet. For anyone else, it’s a long wait for something with more punch, and nothing really delivers in this 16-day window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sat night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 13 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 36 | 50 | 151 | 225 | 180 | 64 | 159 | 129 | 73 | 64 | 67 | 67 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:19AM2.10m | 6:58PM2.24m | 7:08AM2.16m | 7:41PM2.31m | 7:53AM2.24m | 8:23PM2.38m | 8:37AM2.31m | 9:03PM2.44m | 9:20AM2.37m | 9:42PM2.49m | 10:03AM2.43m | 10:24PM2.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:09AM0.98m | 12:34PM0.85m | 00:57AM0.89m | 1:19PM0.76m | 1:41AM0.80m | 1:59PM0.68m | 2:24AM0.70m | 2:37PM0.62m | 3:04AM0.62m | 3:16PM0.58m | 3:45AM0.57m | 3:56PM0.58m | |||||||
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 14 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | E 6 | E 14 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 180 | 64 | 159 | 129 | 73 | 64 | 67 | 67 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | NE 10 | E 10 | — | NE 9 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 12 | W 8 | E 13 | NE 10 | ENE 7 | E 12 | NW 6 | NW 6 | W 12 | NW 6 |
3 | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 36 | 11 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 12 | E 12 | E 13 | E 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 15 | — | NE 12 | E 13 | E 6 | — | — | NW 12 | — | — |
— | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 5 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 2 | WNW 3 | — | — | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | — | — | W 3 | WNW 6 | WSW 4 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 |
— | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 9 | 36 | 50 | 151 | 225 | — | — | 4 | 60 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 65 | 92 | 518 | 113 | 60 | 112 | 112 | 112 | 113 | 60 | 60 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 69 | 414 | 15 | 3 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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











