
Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, N swell with 521 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period with NE 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 (Sep 13) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 2.2m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Tauranga Bay over the next couple of weeks.
Alright, I won’t sugarcoat it – the next 16 days are looking pretty grim if you’re chasing a proper surf. We’ve got a real dry spell on our hands. The first real node of energy doesn’t show up until Thursday the 17th, and even then, it’s a mess. Before that, from now through Wednesday the 16th, there’s just tiny, weak swell. We’re talking about a run of days with practically nothing on offer.
That Thursday morning, the 17th, the wind is howling straight onshore from the north at 16 mph, and the swell jumps to 5 ft but with a shockingly short period of 5 seconds. It’s poor surf, full stop. The combined energy bumps up to 133 (moderate wave energy), but with that wind, it’s just a washed-out, lumpy mess.
Friday the 18th sees the biggest swell of the period – 7 ft from the north with an 8-second period. The energy reading jumps to 513 (strong wave energy), so there’s power. But the wind is a strong cross-onshore from the west-northwest at 25 mph, making it messy and horrible. This is strictly for experts, and even then, it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a pleasant paddle. The swell stays over 5 ft and tops 8 ft later on Friday, so definitely not for the groms.
Saturday the 19th cleans up a bit. The swell drops to 3 ft from the northeast (8-second period), and we get a cross-offshore wind from the west-southwest at 12-16 mph. It’s *clean*, and the energy is 202 (moderate). This is about the best we’ll see, but the waves are still only 3 ft and pretty weak. It’s surfable, but it’s not going to light your world on fire. If you’re a beginner and just want to get wet, Saturday morning is your window.
After Saturday, it drops right back down. From Sunday the 20th all the way to the end of the period on Monday the 28th of September, it’s back to tiny dribble – 0.3 ft to 2 ft swell with poor conditions. There are a couple of glassy or offshore mornings (like Tuesday the 22nd and Thursday the 24th), but with next to no swell, you’d be better off going for a swim.
So, the long and short of it: nothing is a standout. The only window worth paddling out is Saturday the 19th, for a clean, small wave on a longboard. Don’t get your hopes up for the rest of it. The waves might come back, but right now, the forecast is looking lean.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Tue night, strong winds from the NW by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | N 5 | N 7 | N 8 | NNE 7 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
41 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 23 | 37 | 21 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 106 | 328 | 491 | 405 | 244 | |
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 | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 9:24AM2.56m | 9:41PM2.61m | 10:09AM2.57m | 10:23PM2.56m | 10:51AM2.55m | 11:03PM2.49m | 11:31AM2.49m | 11:42PM2.40m | 12:11PM2.40m | 00:22AM2.31m | 12:53PM2.29m | 1:02AM2.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:04AM0.38m | 3:19PM0.40m | 3:47AM0.39m | 4:02PM0.48m | 4:28AM0.44m | 4:45PM0.58m | 5:09AM0.53m | 5:28PM0.70m | 5:50AM0.64m | 6:11PM0.82m | 6:32AM0.76m | 6:56PM0.92m | |||||||
— | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 12 | NW 9 | NNW 8 |
41 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 23 | 37 | 21 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 13 | 188 | 244 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 13 | ENE 13 | NNE 10 | E 8 | — | E 13 | E 10 | SE 11 | E 16 | ESE 15 | NE 7 |
7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 11 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 21 | 127 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 17 | N 14 | N 14 | N 14 | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | N 11 | N 11 | — | E 13 | W 17 | SE 10 | NE 11 | ESE 13 |
12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 5 | — | — | — | N 4 | N 5 | N 7 | N 8 | NNE 7 | — |
3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 16 | 106 | 328 | 491 | 405 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 65 | 10 | 65 | 65 | 10 | 518 | 101 | 325 | 331 | 469 | 263 | 236 | 21 |
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










