Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, E swell with 1,247 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period with E 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 16) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s talk Tauranga Bay in proper terms. This spot is a beginner-friendly break, open to the swell, and the magic happens when it comes from the NE. Crowds? Rare. That’s a big tick.
The first few days are a flat, weak mess. Tuesday and Wednesday: tiny waves, poor winds, not worth a second look. Swell under 1 foot, short period, combined energy in the teens and twenties. Nope.
Thursday’s still too small but the tide and conditions start tidying up. Friday morning shows some promise—0.6 ft of clean groundswell with a 17-second period, light offshore from the S. Combined energy hits 223 in the morning, 268 in the afternoon. It’s still small, but a learner could get a fun little glide.
Saturday and Sunday are more of the same: tiny clean waves at 0.5–0.7 ft, long period, but nothing to get excited about. The water temp is about 62°, nothing unusual.
Monday the 20th is blown out with rain and fresh E wind.
Then comes the big stuff. From Tuesday the 21st onward, the swell pumps up to 8-16 ft of E to NE energy. That sounds epic, but the wind is screaming from the E at 20-35 mph, with combined energy numbers like 997 up to 8451. That’s massive, messy, cross-chop chaos. Not for paddle surfing—this stretch is strictly for the kite crew.
Toward Sunday the 26th, the wind drops to a more manageable 12-15 mph from the SSE, offshore or cross-off. Swell is still solid at 6-7 ft, 11-second period, combined energy around 1152-1392. That Sunday afternoon looks like the standout for an experienced surfer: cleaner, powerful, and with the right wind.
Through Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th, the swell backs down to 3-4 ft. Tuesday morning is the real sleeper hit: 3 ft of clean ENE swell, light offshore from the SW, combined energy 363. That’s the pick for a clean, fun session for everyone.
So to wrap it up: Sunday, 26 July afternoon is the big one—clean, solid, and offshore. For a more relaxed, quality surf, Tuesday morning, 28 July is your ace. Grab it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 5 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | NNW 5 | E 13 | ESE 19 | E 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 42 | 34 | 17 | 20 | 26 | 23 | 14 | 13 | 119 | 212 | 259 | 237 | 225 | 172 | 163 | 115 | 111 | 57 | 53 | 51 | 526 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:00PM2.64m | 8:18AM2.51m | 8:55PM2.71m | 9:15AM2.54m | 9:47PM2.75m | 10:09AM2.55m | 10:36PM2.74m | 11:00AM2.54m | 11:23PM2.69m | 11:48AM2.50m | 00:10AM2.61m | 12:35PM2.45m | 00:56AM2.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:28PM0.37m | 2:02AM0.53m | 2:24PM0.30m | 2:59AM0.45m | 3:17PM0.27m | 3:53AM0.40m | 4:07PM0.29m | 4:43AM0.38m | 4:56PM0.36m | 5:31AM0.40m | 5:44PM0.47m | 6:18AM0.47m | 6:32PM0.60m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | | |  |  | |  | |
 | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | NE 4 | N 5 | ESE 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | NNW 5 | E 13 | ESE 19 | E 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 7 | 4 | 17 | 20 | 26 | 23 | 14 | 13 | 119 | 212 | 259 | 237 | 225 | 172 | 163 | 115 | 111 | 57 | 53 | 51 | 30 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | N 4 | NNW 5 | NNE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | NNW 4 | N 4 | N 4 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 |
| kJ | 11 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NNW 5 | NNE 10 | NNW 4 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | E 9 | — | — | — | W 16 | NE 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | E 8 |
| kJ | 42 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | 526 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 112 | 125 | 60 | 60 | 114 | 73 | 65 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 112 | 60 |
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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