Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, NNE swell with 666 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s 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 (Aug 30) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 8s 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days at Tauranga Bay are looking pretty quiet. We've got a long stretch of very small, weak swell, and the wind is mostly not playing ball. The first few days are a write-off, with tiny waves and onshore winds. Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th are basically flat, with swell struggling to hit 1.0ft and a short, weak period. The wind is onshore, so don't even bother.
Saturday the 29th is where things get a little interesting, but it's still a mixed bag. The morning is a mess with moderate rain and a cross-onshore breeze, but the swell does pick up to 6ft from the NNE. The real window is Saturday afternoon. The wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the WSW, and the swell holds at 6ft from the NNE with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (327). For a beginner-friendly spot, 6ft is starting to push the limits, but with that cleaner wind, it’ll be the best looking session of the whole outlook. It’s not a standout, but it’s the only real window of clean surf.
From Sunday the 30th right through to the end of the 16 days, the swell drops. We’re looking at 1ft to 4ft from the NE, with periods around 8 to 10 seconds. The wind is mostly cross-off or cross, but the energy is weak, with combined energy values dropping back into the double digits (29 to 187). It’s surfable but very ordinary. Tuesday the 11th of September has a tiny bit of hope with a light breeze and 2ft from the NE, but it’s still only a 1 out of 10.
The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about. If you're absolutely desperate, Saturday afternoon the 29th is your only chance for a couple of clean, manageable waves. The rest of the run is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the NNE by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
10 | 13 | 12 | 48 | 198 | 394 | 408 | 560 | 343 | 171 | 179 | 152 | 114 | 113 | 110 | 110 | 113 | 68 | 53 | 45 | 48 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 10:46AM2.47m | 11:06PM2.51m | 11:31AM2.49m | 11:52PM2.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:26AM0.54m | 4:39PM0.60m | 5:08AM0.54m | 5:26PM0.65m | ||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
10 | 13 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 266 | 560 | 343 | 171 | 179 | 152 | 114 | 113 | 110 | 110 | 113 | 68 | 53 | 45 | 48 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | — | SE 5 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | NW 6 | E 12 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | — | N 14 | WNW 5 | N 12 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 10 | E 10 | N 11 | — | E 15 | — | — | — | NNW 7 | E 12 | — | E 12 | W 16 | W 21 | — | W 15 | N 12 | N 12 | W 19 | W 18 |
3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | — | — | — | 9 | 3 | — | 3 | 5 | 8 | — | 5 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 2 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | N 8 | — | S 3 | SW 2 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 2 | W 4 | — | NW 3 | WNW 5 |
— | 1 | 11 | 48 | 198 | 394 | 408 | — | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | 2 | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 60 | 113 | 92 | 518 | 546 | 112 | 43 | 3 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 101 | 3 |
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











