Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, SE swell with 599 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Tauranga Bay for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a flat start. Nothing worth paddling out for from this Sunday (August 16th) through the week. Tiny, weak swells under 2ft and mostly cross-off or onshore winds mean the Bay is asleep. You’ll be looking at a lot of calm water.
First real chance comes on Monday 17th August afternoon. The swell picks up to 5ft from the ESE with a moderate offshore breeze out of the S. That’s clean with moderate energy (352). Not a classic, but the best of a quiet run. Fine for beginners to get some safe waves.
Tuesday 18th August morning is okay too – 3ft ESE with light SSW cross-off winds, clean (142 energy). Surfable but nothing special. Then it drops into tiny, messy surf through the rest of the week.
Now, keep your eyes on Monday 24th August afternoon. The swell jumps to a solid 12ft from the N, glassy conditions (1481 energy). That’s a big, strong groundswell with a period of 8 seconds – punchy and powerful. Strictly for experts – way too big for beginners. The glassy wind is a massive bonus.
Tuesday 25th August morning follows with 5ft from the N and a light S offshore (751 energy). Clean and much more reasonable for strong intermediates.
After that, the surf fades fast. From Wednesday 26th August right through to the 31st, it’s small, choppy slop. Not much to get excited about.
Standout is Monday 24th August afternoon – big, glassy, powerful N swell for experts only. Tuesday 25th morning is the next call for cleaner, smaller waves. Otherwise, you’ve got time to wax your board and wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | E 9 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
125 | 68 | 49 | 30 | 288 | 352 | 265 | 138 | 76 | 75 | 14 | 24 | 20 | 31 | 30 | 44 | 26 | 25 | 13 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 10:11PM2.71m | 10:36AM2.57m | 10:54PM2.66m | 11:20AM2.55m | 11:37PM2.58m | 12:03PM2.49m | 00:19AM2.48m | 12:46PM2.41m | 1:01AM2.38m | 1:32PM2.31m | 1:44AM2.28m | 2:23PM2.22m | 2:30AM2.19m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:17AM0.37m | 4:30PM0.40m | 5:01AM0.41m | 5:15PM0.52m | 5:44AM0.49m | 6:00PM0.65m | 6:27AM0.60m | 6:45PM0.79m | 7:12AM0.73m | 7:32PM0.91m | 7:59AM0.84m | 8:23PM1.01m | |||||||
— | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 |
125 | 68 | 49 | 18 | 288 | 352 | 265 | 138 | 76 | 75 | 10 | 24 | 20 | 31 | 30 | 44 | 26 | 25 | 13 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 9 | — | NE 11 | NE 11 | — | N 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 13 | NE 10 | E 12 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | — |
30 | 20 | 21 | 30 | 22 | — | 5 | 4 | — | 2 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 12 | SE 8 | E 10 | NE 10 | — | N 10 | N 10 | — | — | NE 9 |
3 | 3 | 8 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 3 | 2 | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | SSE 4 | S 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 65 | 52 | 52 | 65 | 3 | 52 | 113 | 60 |
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











