Tauranga Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 35.00° S 173.83° E

Tauranga Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 09 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Tauranga Bay sea temperature is
16.0°C
0.8° 

Tauranga Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s period, NE swell with 76 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. 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 0.4m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 10th Sep)1.5ft (0.4m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 10th Sep)1.5ft (0.4m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 10th Sep)1.5ft (0.4m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks are a lean stretch for Tauranga Bay. We’ve got a whole lot of nothing on the cards for a solid block, and it’s going to test your patience if you’re hanging for a wave.

Right now, through the 16th of September, we’re looking at tiny, weak surf. You’ll see waves around `1ft` to `1.3ft` with periods around `12` to `15` seconds, but there’s just no push to them. The energy readings are weak, and most days are hovering in the low `50` to `90` range. It’s a lot of knee-high slop with no real power. The winds are mostly offshore or cross-off, which is a plus for tidiness, but there’s nothing to ride. On the 14th, it gets glassy with a slight air, but it’s still just small, clean and gutless. That’s the kind of tease that gets you out there for nothing.

We then go through a run of poor conditions into the middle of the period. From the 17th through the 21st, we’ve got fresh breezes and cross-chop, and the swell is still not showing up. There’s a brief uptick on the afternoon of the 22nd with a `2.6ft` NNE swell showing period of `8` seconds, but it’s still not enough to get excited about. The energy is only `81`, and it’s just not worth the paddle.

Now, the first real sign of life arrives on the morning of the 23rd of September. We finally crack the `3.3ft` mark with a NNE swell at `8` seconds. The energy jumps to `134`, which is moderate, and it’s the first time we see the words “surfable” in the data. The wind is light offshore (WSW) and it’s clean. This is the one glimmer in the whole window, but don’t get too fired up – it’s still a short-period, average wave. It’s a beginner-friendly size, but the quality is just okay.

After that, it’s back to the drawing board. The 24th and 25th of September see the swell actually build a bit more – `3.6ft` from the NE with a `10` second period, and energy climbing to `217` and `244`. There is definitely more water moving, and it’s coming from the right direction for Tauranga Bay (NE). But the wind is the killer. It’s cross-shore on the 24th morning, turning into a cross-onshore chop by the afternoon, and it stays cross-shore on the 25th. You’re looking at bumpy, messy surf that’s hard to ride. For a beach break like this, that kind of wind and swell combo is more interesting for the kite surfers than for us.

So here’s the reality: this forecast is a long, dry spell. There’s one standout, and that’s the morning of the 23rd of September. It’s the only time where the size, the wind, and the conditions line up to give you something half-decent. It’s clean, it’s head-high for a smaller surfer, and it’s got a little bit of push. But it’s a one-hit wonder. The rest of the run is a lot of waiting.

The water temp is about average for the time of year, so don’t feel like you’re getting short-changed there either. It’s just a case of the ocean not delivering. Keep the board waxed, keep an eye on the forecasts, because this kind of flat spell doesn’t usually last forever. The swell windows are starting to show up further out, so there’s hope on the horizon, but as of now, you’re better off doing maintenance on your gear than paddling out.

That’s all from me. Keep your chin up.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
NE
16
0.3
NE
14
0.4
NE
15
0.4
NE
14
0.3
NNE
15
0.4
NE
13
0.4
NE
13
0.4
NE
13
0.4
NE
13
0.4
NE
13
0.4
NE
13
0.4
NE
13
0.4
NE
12
0.4
NE
12
0.4
NE
12
0.4
NE
12
0.4
NE
12
0.3
NE
12
0.3
NE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
40
30
56
73
42
45
61
44
44
42
42
40
39
38
37
37
37
21
20
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
10
W
20
WNW
25
SSW
25
SSW
30
SSW
25
WSW
20
SW
25
SSW
10
WSW
15
SW
15
SW
10
SW
5
WSW
5
SW
10
SW
10
SW
15
SW
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
6:53AM2.37m
7:23PM2.56m
7:47AM2.45m
8:12PM2.61m
8:37AM2.51m
8:58PM2.63m
9:24AM2.56m
9:41PM2.61m
10:09AM2.57m
10:23PM2.56m
10:51AM2.55m
11:03PM2.49m
Low Tide
00:35AM0.60m
12:58PM0.45m
1:29AM0.50m
1:48PM0.38m
2:19AM0.42m
2:34PM0.37m
3:04AM0.38m
3:19PM0.40m
3:47AM0.39m
4:02PM0.48m
4:28AM0.44m
4:45PM0.58m
clear
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:30
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:14
6:15
 mm
1
Temp °C
12
15
15
11
14
14
13
16
15
10
15
16
13
15
17
13
16
17
13
Feels °C
10
11
10
6
7
8
9
10
9
7
10
12
11
13
15
11
13
14
9
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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