Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, SE swell with 152 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period with SE 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s 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 1.2m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me tell you how it’s shaping up for Tauranga Bay.
Right now, we've got a quiet start. Wednesday's just a tiny 1ft slop from the ESE with 8-second period, and not enough oomph to get excited about. But hang in there because Wednesday afternoon is where things pick up. The swell jumps to 4ft from the SE (period 7 seconds) and the offshore wind from the south at 12 mph will clean it right up. Wave energy jumps to (271) and while it's not a giant groundswell, it’s solid, fun, and clean. Thursday morning sees it drop back down to 2ft, so Wednesday arvo is the standout for the first few days – that's the one to get wet for if you want a manageable, clean wave.
Through Thursday, Friday, and into the weekend, it stays very small. We’re looking at 1.0ft to 2ft ESE swell, mostly poor conditions with cross and onshore winds. Saturday and Sunday don't offer any quality. There’s a bit of a lull through until the end of next week.
Into the second week, around the 29th of August Saturday morning, we get a pulse of 5ft from the NNE with some cross-shore wind. The wave energy hits (291) and while it’s borderline clean, it’s not the best window. The real promising stretch comes at the very end of the month. Sunday the 30th through Tuesday the 1st of September shows a building trend: from 3ft to 4ft from the NE/ENE, periods getting up to 10 – 11 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy with (230 to 265) and glassy/offshore conditions on Sunday afternoon and Monday. Those mornings will be clean, empty, and lined up. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprise there.
If you only paddle out once, make it Wednesday the 19th afternoon for the fun, clean combo or Sunday the 30th afternoon for the longer-period NE groundswell with glassy conditions – that's the best of the outlook for Tauranga Bay.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 21 | 152 | 51 | 47 | 65 | 59 | 64 | 54 | 41 | 35 | 17 | 8 | 12 | 31 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 4 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 12:46PM2.41m | 1:01AM2.38m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:45PM0.79m | 7:12AM0.73m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 6 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 12 | E 12 | E 13 | NNW 5 | NE 12 | NNW 4 | E 13 | E 12 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 21 | 86 | 51 | 47 | 65 | 59 | 64 | 54 | 41 | 35 | 17 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 12 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 13 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 13 | NE 11 | E 9 | NE 10 | NE 11 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 12 |
| kJ | 14 | 6 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | N 15 | N 13 | NE 9 | N 14 | E 13 | NE 13 | N 14 | NE 11 | N 13 | NE 10 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 3 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | NW 3 | NW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | — | NNW 4 | — | — | — | NNW 3 |
| kJ | 4 | 152 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 12 | 31 | 14 | — | 4 | — | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 376 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 17 | 518 | 518 | 547 | 112 | 65 | 60 | 65 | 65 | 518 | 113 |
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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