Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, N swell with 144 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period with NE 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 1.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let me tell you, the outlook for Tauranga Bay over the next couple of weeks is a bit of a flat spell. We've got a long stretch ahead with very little to get excited about.
For the first week, from Friday the 11th right through to the following Thursday the 17th, it's a real struggle. The swell is tiny, mostly around 1.0ft to 1ft, coming from the northeast with a long period of 12 to 13 seconds. The combined wave energy is weak, sitting between just 26 and 98. Most of the time it's labeled as "poor surf conditions," and honestly, with that size, you'd be hard-pressed to get a ride. The wind is mostly cross-off or offshore, which would keep it clean, but there's just no power in the water.
There's a slight uptick on Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th. On Friday morning, we see a pulse of swell from the north at 3ft with a short period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 143, with fresh offshore winds (30 km/h) making for clean conditions. Friday afternoon cleans up a bit more with a gentle offshore and a similar 3ft north swell, energy up to 193. Saturday the 19th then drops right back down to 2ft and 2ft from the northeast, with moderate to fresh cross-shore winds making it choppy. Look, this Friday window is the best on offer, giving you surfable if ordinary conditions, but it's not a standout.
After that, from Sunday the 20th through to the end of the period on Saturday the 26th, it's back to tiny, weak surf. Swells shrink to 0.3ft to 1ft with energy levels mostly below 50. Winds vary from glassy on Monday the 21st afternoon, which is nice, to fresh cross-shore chop on Tuesday the 22nd. It’s a blank run for anything truly good.
Honestly, Tauranga Bay is flat for the vast majority of this forecast, and if you're dead set on a paddle, Friday the 18th is your only real shot, with that 3ft north swell and clean offshore wind. It's not much, but it's the only thing worth mentioning. The water temp is 61°, which is pretty average for the time of year.
Keep the wax soft, and don't hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | N 5 | N 5 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 62 | 85 | 44 | 43 | 41 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 23 | 37 | 23 | 38 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 37 | 41 | 25 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross |
High Tide | 8:12PM2.61m | 8:37AM2.51m | 8:58PM2.63m | 9:24AM2.56m | 9:41PM2.61m | 10:09AM2.57m | 10:23PM2.56m | 10:51AM2.55m | 11:03PM2.49m | 11:31AM2.49m | 11:42PM2.40m | 12:11PM2.40m | 00:22AM2.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:19AM0.42m | 2:34PM0.37m | 3:04AM0.38m | 3:19PM0.40m | 3:47AM0.39m | 4:02PM0.48m | 4:28AM0.44m | 4:45PM0.58m | 5:09AM0.53m | 5:28PM0.70m | 5:50AM0.64m | 6:11PM0.82m | ||||||||
 |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 62 | 85 | 44 | 43 | 41 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 23 | 37 | 23 | 38 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 25 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 13 | NE 10 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | N 5 |
| kJ | 35 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | NW 19 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | NW 17 | N 14 | N 14 | N 14 | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | NE 13 | E 8 | E 8 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | NE 12 |
| kJ | 1 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 2 | — | SSW 2 | S 6 | — | SSE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | N 5 | N 5 | — |
| kJ | 9 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 37 | 41 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 10 | 65 | 10 | 65 | 10 | 65 | 10 | 10 | 92 | 92 | 112 | 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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