Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, NNW swell with 317 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tawharanui this week:
The surf forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let me tell ya, it's been a tough stretch for us at Tawharanui. Looking right through the next couple of weeks, it's a pretty bleak picture, I'm not gonna lie. There's a long, dry spell coming our way with barely a ripple worth paddling for. But hang in there, 'cause things might just start to flicker a little life towards the very end of the run. We'll take it one day at a time.
So, right from this Sunday (6th September) afternoon, it's flat as a tack. We've got a tiny 2ft wave from the north with a short period of 4 seconds, weak energy (13), and a cross-shore breeze. It's just no good. That sets the tone for a solid two weeks of frustration. All through next week and the week after, we're looking at nothing but small, weak swells. The winds are mostly offshore, but the swell is so small it doesn't matter. It's just one of those periods where you're better off waxing your board and waiting.
The only real flicker of hope, and I mean a real glimmer, comes on Saturday the 19th of September. Saturday morning is looking like our best chance. We'll have a glassy surface and a little 4ft wave from the north, but it's got a short period of just 5 seconds and moderate energy (88). It's not a standout, just the only thing on the menu. The water temp is sitting around 58°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Then, on Monday the 21st of September, we get a bit of a pulse. Swell jumps up to 6ft from the north-northeast with an 11-second period, and the combined energy is through the roof at 828 to 870. That's a lot of power. But here's the kicker – the wind is a strong cross-offshore, which will keep it clean, but with that size and strength, it's going to be a heavy, powerful wave. It's definitely not for the faint-hearted or beginners. For the experts out there, this is your window. Just be aware, with that much energy, it'll be a handful, especially at a beach and reef setup like Tawharanui. The crowd factor here is "often," so expect company if you're out there.
So, to sum it up: a whole lot of nothing for the next two weeks, then a very ordinary Saturday morning, followed by a powerful, expert-only session on Monday the 21st. It's not a classic forecast, but that Monday pulse is something to keep an eye on if you've got the skills.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue morning, calm by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Fri night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 4 | N 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 6 | NE 15 | NE 8 | NNE 14 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NNE 14 | NNE 14 | NNE 13 | NE 16 | NNE 12 | NNE 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 154 | 317 | 238 | 155 | 66 | 28 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 31 | 39 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 10 | 15 | 16 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 2:37AM2.34m | 3:21PM2.41m | 3:47AM2.37m | 4:28PM2.49m | 4:54AM2.43m | 5:26PM2.59m | 5:53AM2.53m | 6:18PM2.68m | 6:46AM2.61m | 7:06PM2.74m | 7:35AM2.66m | 7:51PM2.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:45PM0.81m | 9:06AM0.68m | 9:51PM0.78m | 10:15AM0.65m | 10:56PM0.71m | 11:19AM0.59m | 11:55PM0.62m | 12:17PM0.51m | 00:47AM0.53m | 1:07PM0.44m | 1:35AM0.47m | 1:53PM0.41m | 2:19AM0.43m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 9 | E 9 | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNE 14 | NNE 13 | NE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 13 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 2 | 238 | 155 | 66 | 28 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 39 | 5 | 18 | 18 | 6 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | NE 16 | NE 17 | NE 15 | NE 15 | NE 14 | NNE 14 | NE 14 | NE 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | NE 12 | NE 13 | NE 13 | E 11 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 31 | 30 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NE 16 | E 10 | E 10 | — | NE 8 | N 6 | N 18 | NE 16 | ENE 8 | NNE 14 | NE 13 | NE 9 | NE 16 | N 16 | N 16 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | N 6 | NNW 7 | WNW 3 | W 4 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | SW 2 | WNW 3 | NW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 |
| kJ | 8 | 154 | 317 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | 8 | 21 | 39 | 77 | 41 | 46 | 45 | 37 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 371 | 148 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 64 | 64 | 60 | 107 | 22 | 38 | 22 | 183 | 22 | 183 | 183 | 371 | 162 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tawharanui Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tawharanui provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tawharanui can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tawharanui 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 (Tawharanui) 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 Tawharanui 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.
Tawharanui is 48 km (30 miles) from the city of Northshore. If you plan a holiday in Northland, look for hotels and other accommodation in Northshore. Northshore has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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