
Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, ESE swell with 556 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s 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 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Tauranga Bay in feet and degrees. The first real chance to get wet is early Sunday, the 2nd of August.
Sunday morning starts clean. A moderate offshore breeze from the SSE, and the swell is running a solid 7ft from the east-southeast. The period is short at 8 seconds, so it’s a bit wind-swell, but the wind is off and the wave energy is moderate (984). It’s a fun size for a beginner or intermediate. The water temp is about normal for this time of year.
Sunday afternoon drops to 5ft, with a lighter offshore wind. The energy is weaker (262), so it’s still doable.
Then we hit a dry spell. From Monday the 3rd through to Thursday the 6th, it’s tiny. We’re talking 1ft to 1ft, with poor wind. That’s four days of nothing.
Friday the 7th brings a jump to 6ft to 6ft of short-period north swell, but the wind is a moderate cross-onshore, making it choppy. Skip it.
Saturday the 8th has a 6ft north-northwest swell, but the wind is light and cross-shore. The energy is moderate (568), but the conditions are just okay.
Now for the good stuff. Sunday the 9th. The morning is clean with a 5ft north-northeast swell and a gentle offshore. The real standout is Sunday afternoon. The wind turns moderate offshore, and we get a 10ft east-southeast groundswell with a 10-second period. The wave energy is strong (1731). That’s a big, powerful swell, and it’s for experts only.
Monday the 10th is a monster. We’re looking at 13ft to 15ft of east swell, with a very long period of 11 to 12 seconds. The wave energy is extreme (4094 to 5047). The wind is a strong offshore, keeping it glassy. This is for the brave and the experienced.
Tuesday the 11th through to Thursday the 13th, it stays big and clean. Swells of 8ft to 12ft from the east and east-northeast, with periods of 10 to 12 seconds. The wave energy is very strong (over 2000). The wind stays offshore. This is a long stretch of heavy groundswell.
Friday the 14th is the real gem for the second week. The morning has a clean 7ft east swell with an 11-second period. The wind is a gentle offshore. The energy is strong (1321). This is a fantastic size for a strong surfer, with great shape.
Saturday the 15th is another good one. A 8ft north-northeast swell in the morning, with a light offshore wind. The period drops to 8 seconds, but it’s clean and powerful (1265).
Sunday the 16th gives us a moderate offshore wind and a 5ft to 6ft east-northeast swell. Good, clean waves.
Monday the 17th, the swell fades to 2ft. It’s a small, clean end.
The best bets are the late Sunday the 9th afternoon and the big run from the 10th to the 13th. For the best mix of size and clean conditions, Friday the 14th morning is the clear winner. Water temp is about average.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Sat night, light winds from the SSW by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | SE 6 | ESE 5 | ENE 5 | NNE 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
42 | 556 | 222 | 71 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 150 | 221 | 278 | 266 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:09PM2.42m | 10:24AM2.31m | 10:49PM2.44m | 11:06AM2.34m | 11:30PM2.44m | 11:49AM2.35m | 00:14AM2.43m | 12:35PM2.36m | 1:01AM2.41m | 1:26PM2.34m | 1:51AM2.38m | 2:24PM2.33m | 2:46AM2.35m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:12AM0.64m | 4:19PM0.61m | 4:52AM0.62m | 5:00PM0.64m | 5:33AM0.62m | 5:44PM0.68m | 6:17AM0.63m | 6:32PM0.74m | 7:05AM0.65m | 7:26PM0.80m | 8:00AM0.66m | 8:27PM0.84m | |||||||
— | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | SE 6 | ESE 5 | ENE 5 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | NE 15 |
42 | 388 | 222 | 71 | 28 | 18 | 27 | 11 | 12 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 15 | NE 15 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | ENE 8 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 10 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 16 | NE 16 | N 13 |
35 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 27 | 12 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | ENE 8 | NE 13 | NE 15 | NE 18 | NE 18 | NE 16 | N 12 | N 12 | E 8 | ENE 7 | SE 8 | NE 16 | NE 10 | N 13 | SE 9 |
1 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 26 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | SSW 2 | SSW 2 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NNE 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 |
82 | 556 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 150 | 221 | 278 | 266 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 211 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 60 | 60 | 92 | 60 | 69 | 74 | 10 |
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











