
Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, ESE swell with 301 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s 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 (Jul 09) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. 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 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) at 12AM. 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sat 11th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Tauranga Bay.
First thing, the water’s sitting at about 62°F, which is pretty standard for the season—no surprises there. The outlook for the next two weeks is a slow grind. There’s no decent surf right now, and you’re looking at a solid 4 to 5-day stretch of weak, messy, or flat conditions. Nothing worth paddling for.
Things start to perk up on Friday the 10th. We get offshore wind from the S and SSE, and that swell bumps up to 3ft from the ESE. The combined energy pushes into moderate territory. It’s clean, it’s small, and it’s perfect for the beginner crew. Not a standout, but a solid session if you’re itching to get wet.
The true standout is the Thursday morning of the 16th. A long-period groundswell hits at 2ft from the ESE with a period of 16 seconds—that’s real deep ocean energy. The wind is almost nothing out of the WSW, so the surface will be glassy. Combined energy sits at 260, which is solid for the size. You’ll get clean, lined-up waves, but be ready for longer waits between sets. This is a morning for the point break crew and anyone on a longboard or fish. This is the best on offer, no question.
After that, things get rough. We see bigger swell—up to 5ft on the 18th and again on the 22nd—but the wind goes onshore or cross-shore, and the quality plummets. Those days are rain-soaked and choppy, more suited for a kite than a surfboard. Short, lumpy period windswell is all you’ll get.
So here’s the call: skip the first week, maybe have a look at Friday the 10th if you're desperate, but Thursday the 16th is your best bet. After that, keep your hopes low. Forecasts might change, but as it stands, that Thursday morning is the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SE by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | NNE 5 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | NNE 6 | ESE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
156 | 173 | 141 | 141 | 197 | 201 | 275 | 301 | 260 | 255 | 180 | 131 | 100 | 87 | 38 | 47 | 28 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 22 | |
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 | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:16AM2.34m | 2:46PM2.25m | 3:10AM2.35m | 3:52PM2.29m | 4:08AM2.36m | 4:57PM2.37m | 5:11AM2.38m | 6:00PM2.46m | 6:15AM2.42m | 7:01PM2.56m | 7:18AM2.47m | 8:00PM2.64m | 8:18AM2.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:46PM0.82m | 8:26AM0.69m | 8:47PM0.85m | 9:23AM0.66m | 9:53PM0.85m | 10:24AM0.61m | 11:00PM0.80m | 11:26AM0.54m | 00:02AM0.72m | 12:28PM0.46m | 1:03AM0.62m | 1:28PM0.37m | 2:02AM0.53m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | |
5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | 5:30 | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NW 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 5 |
156 | 173 | 141 | 141 | 197 | 201 | 275 | 301 | 260 | 255 | 180 | 131 | 100 | 87 | 33 | 47 | 28 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 11 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | N 9 | NW 7 | NW 7 | N 13 | N 13 | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | NE 10 | NE 12 | ESE 6 | NE 12 | E 5 | NNE 5 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 |
10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 19 | 15 | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NNW 7 | NE 8 | — | — | — | — | N 12 | N 12 | N 12 | — | — | N 11 | N 11 | NE 12 | N 11 | NE 11 | ESE 9 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NE 10 |
3 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | S 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | N 5 | N 4 | — | — | — | — |
6 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 28 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | 27 | 25 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 32 | 32 | 216 | 192 | 33 | 17 | 60 | 52 |
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











