Surf Forecasts:
Tauranga Bay surf forecast from 12 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: Saturday 19 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, NNE swell with 196 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 1.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 6PM.
| 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 | 12PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tauranga Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s be real with each other. I’m looking at this 16-day forecast for Tauranga Bay, and it’s a tough one to sell. The swell is just not cooperating. We’ve got a depressing run of small, weak waves, with the energy readings in the dumps—74, 54, 31, you name it, it’s all weak stuff. This is the kind of forecast that makes you want to take up golf.
The water temp is 16°, which is par for the course this time of year, so that’s not a worry.
The first several days are a total bust. Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th are clean-ish but with a cross-off wind and the swell a puny 0.4m. It’s just poor. Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th are the same story—tiny and weak. We’re looking at a stretch of days with energy levels down in the 20s and 30s, which is about as lifeless as it gets. You’d be surfing foam if you even bothered.
The only thing that even raises an eyebrow is Saturday the 19th. There’s a bump of swell that gets the waves up to 1.3m, and the energy jumps to 216, which is at least moderate. The period is a short 8 seconds, though, so it’ll be a bit crumbly, but the wind is a cross-off, so the surface might be clean. Still, it’s not going to be a classic. For a beginner, it’s doable, but for anyone else, it’s a big "so what?"
After that, it’s back to the sandbox. From the 21st through the 27th, we’re back to ankle-biters. The swell drops to 0.6m and then down to 0.3m, and the energy levels sink into the teens and 20s. It’s a long, flat run. There is no standout day. The 19th is the only day with any size, but it’s not worth the drive. This is a proper dry spell.
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 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | 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 | N 5 | NNE 6 | NE 11 | NNE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 44 | 43 | 41 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 37 | 21 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 36 | 34 | 39 | 19 | 26 |
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 | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 12:53PM2.29m | 1:02AM2.22m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:32AM0.76m | 6:56PM0.92m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  |  |  | |  |  | |
 | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | N 5 | NNE 6 | N 6 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 44 | 43 | 41 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 37 | 21 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 36 | 34 | 39 | 17 | 26 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | ENE 13 | NNE 10 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | N 10 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | ENE 11 |
| kJ | 16 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | E 14 | E 9 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | 14 | 14 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | SW 3 | S 6 | — | SSW 2 | S 6 | S 5 | — | — | SE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | N 4 | — | SE 4 | ESE 5 | SE 4 |
| kJ | 4 | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 20 | — | 8 | 27 | 20 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 10 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 10 | 65 | 65 | 10 | 113 | 101 | 112 | 92 | 10 | 224 | 17 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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