Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s period, ESE swell with 78 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tauranga Bay in the next 16 days are 0.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) 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 0.3m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Tauranga Bay's got cooking for us over the next couple of weeks.
We're in for a long, slow start. The first week or so is pretty flat and uninspiring, with only tiny waves and dodgy winds. The real action doesn't kick off until the end of the month and into September, but even then, it's a mixed bag with some solid size but messy conditions.
The water temp is sitting at 61°, which is pretty much bang on for this time of year – nothing unusual there.
The first real highlight in this whole stretch looks like Friday morning, the 29th of August. We've got a clean 2 ft swell from the NE, with a light offshore breeze from the SSE. It's small, but it'll be clean and fun for getting a few turns in on a longboard or a fish. The energy is weak (71), but the conditions will be glassy and inviting.
After that, the surf starts to build. Sunday the 30th of August morning has a bit more push with a 3 ft swell from the NE, still with a clean offshore wind. The energy is starting to pick up (141). Then we get into a prolonged pulse of NE swell early next week. The morning of Monday the 1st of September is worth a mention – 4 ft from the ENE with a clean cross-off breeze and moderate energy (264). It's not the best of winds, but it's rideable.
The real standout, though, is the end of the run. Friday the 4th of September afternoon sees a serious jump in size – a powerful 12 ft swell from the NNE, but with a short, choppy period of 8 seconds. The energy is off the charts (2650), but this is for experts only. The wind is a strong cross-shore, so it's going to be a lumpy, challenging beast. Honestly, at that size and with that wind, this setup might be more interesting for the kite surfers than paddle surfers.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off for any decent waves. The best bet for a clean, manageable session is the morning of the 29th of August. If you're an expert looking for a challenge, keep an eye on the 4th of September, but be prepared for a wild, messy, and powerful ocean.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | E 12 | E 13 | E 12 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | NNE 8 | NW 4 | NNW 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 64 | 64 | 61 | 66 | 55 | 28 | 34 | 17 | 8 | 12 | 31 | 27 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 10 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:32PM2.31m | 1:44AM2.28m | 2:23PM2.22m | 2:30AM2.19m | 3:21PM2.15m | 3:22AM2.11m | 4:22PM2.13m | 4:21AM2.07m | 5:19PM2.14m | 5:24AM2.07m | 6:11PM2.19m | 6:19AM2.10m | 6:58PM2.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:32PM0.91m | 7:59AM0.84m | 8:23PM1.01m | 8:51AM0.93m | 9:19PM1.07m | 9:46AM0.97m | 10:19PM1.09m | 10:44AM0.97m | 11:17PM1.05m | 11:43AM0.93m | 00:09AM0.98m | 12:34PM0.85m | 00:57AM0.89m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 12 | E 13 | E 13 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | E 13 | E 13 | NE 10 | NNE 8 | NE 10 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 64 | 64 | 61 | 66 | 55 | 28 | 34 | 17 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 13 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | — | N 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 13 | NE 11 | E 9 | NE 13 | NE 11 | E 12 | NE 12 | E 12 | NE 10 | NE 11 | E 12 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 5 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 15 | N 13 | NE 9 | N 14 | E 13 | NE 10 | N 14 | NE 11 | E 13 | NE 10 | — | N 8 | NE 8 | E 12 | NE 7 | E 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 4 | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | — | — | SE 3 | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 4 | NNW 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | 31 | 27 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 15 | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 65 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 52 | 10 | 518 | 518 | 518 | 544 | 33 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 538 | 113 | 113 | 113 | 112 |
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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