Tauranga Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down Tauranga Bay over the next couple weeks in feet and miles per hour.

Honestly, it’s a lean run. Not one day really stands out as a proper session. There’s a long stretch of flat or messy surf, so don’t get excited. The first real chance doesn’t show up until the 14th of September, and even then it’s pretty poor.

Starting Monday the 14th, we’ve got a tiny 1ft NE swell with a 12-second period, but the wave comment says it all – poor conditions. Light offshore wind in the morning turns cross-shore in the arvo. Combined energy is a weak 46. Not worth the wetsuit.

Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th are more knee-high dribble, around 1ft to 1ft. The wind stays light and clean, but there’s no push. The energy is in the 30s. You’d be waiting forever for a ride.

Thursday the 17th brings a spike – 6ft in the morning, 5ft in the afternoon, all from the NNW. But it’s a short-period 6-second windswell, and the wind is howling onshore at 22-25 mph. The energy hits 214-250 – moderate – but it’ll be a blown-out mess. For kite surfers it might be fun, but for paddle surfing, forget it.

From Friday the 18th right through to Saturday the 26th of September, it’s a dead zone. Waves between 0.3ft and 2ft, mostly with weak energy under 50. The wind is clean sometimes – offshore or glassy – but there’s just no swell. You’d be floating.

Finally, on Saturday the 26th, the afternoon shows 4ft from the NW with a 6-second period, and offshore S winds at 9 mph. Combined energy is 141 – moderate. The comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” which is the best we get. It’s still short-period, so shape won’t be great, but at least it’s clean. If you’re keen, that’s your window.

After that, Sunday the 27th has a 5ft NW swell in the arvo, but it’s cross-onshore and messy. The rest of the run into the 29th is choppy and weak.

Water temp on the 14th is 61°, about normal for this time of year.

So, the whole two weeks is a slog. The only moment that might give you a few rides is the afternoon of Saturday the 26th, and even that’s a maybe. Otherwise, keep the board dry.

Rusty.

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