Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, NNW swell with 181 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight up – we’re looking at a pretty flat run for Tawharanui over the next couple of weeks. The forecast shows no good surf on the table for the whole 16-day window, so don’t get your hopes up for a proper session.
Right now, Sunday the 30th of August has a bit of a pulse at 3ft from the NNE with a short 8-second period, and there’s moderate combined swell energy (111), but the wind is hammering out of the WSW at 25 mph. It’s strong offshore and clean, but that’s going to make paddling into anything a real mission – the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Not one for a beginner either, with that wind strength.
Monday the 31st drops right off, with tiny 1-2ft leftovers from the NE and NNE, periods around 9-10 seconds, and weak energy (39 and 37). The wind stays cross-off and fresh, so the surface will be clean, but there’s just nothing to ride. Tuesday the 1st of September is more of the same: 1ft, 9-10 second period, fresh offshore wind, and energy in the low 30s. Clean but tiny.
Wednesday the 2nd through Friday the 4th stays flat with swell under 2ft and combined energy dropping to as low as 14. Friday the 4th does see a little spike to 5ft from the NNW early morning, with moderate energy (160), but the period is a short 6 seconds and the wind is cross-off. The waves will be messy and fat – still a no-go for a decent surf.
Saturday the 5th of September back to 1ft, and Sunday the 6th brings 3ft from the NNW again, but this time the wind swings cross-on at 19 mph, making it lumpy. By the afternoon, the swell bumps to 5ft with 6-second period and strong cross-shore wind at 25 mph – that’s messy cross-chop and honestly more of a kitesurfer’s playground.
From Monday the 7th right through to Sunday the 14th of September, the swell barely breaks 1ft. Combined energy sits in the single digits or low teens. Wind is mostly cross-off or offshore, so the water will look pretty, but there’s no wave to speak of. The 14th sees a long-period 15-second swell from the NE at 0.3ft – that’s just a tease. With that kind of period, it’d be best at a reef or point, but there’s no size to work with.
Water temp at Tawharanui is sitting at 58°, which is about average for this time of year – nothing unusual there. The break itself is a beach and reef setup, exposed to the NE, and it’s fairly consistent normally, but this stretch is a total blank. It’s one of those periods where the ocean just goes quiet. Forecasts can always change, but for now, leave the board in the shed.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNW 4 | ENE 10 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | N 7 | N 6 | NNW 6 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
111 | 52 | 39 | 37 | 43 | 33 | 31 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 148 | 107 | 29 | 13 | 11 | 10 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:42PM2.60m | 9:03AM2.54m | 9:24PM2.61m | 9:46AM2.55m | 10:07PM2.59m | 10:30AM2.54m | 10:53PM2.55m | 11:17AM2.51m | 11:41PM2.49m | 12:07PM2.47m | 00:34AM2.43m | 1:04PM2.42m | 1:32AM2.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:04AM0.58m | 3:18PM0.56m | 3:46AM0.54m | 3:59PM0.58m | 4:29AM0.53m | 4:44PM0.63m | 5:15AM0.55m | 5:36PM0.69m | 6:05AM0.58m | 6:35PM0.76m | 7:00AM0.62m | 7:39PM0.80m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | N 7 | N 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 6 |
111 | 52 | 39 | 37 | 43 | 33 | 31 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 107 | 29 | 13 | 6 | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 8 | — | — | NNE 9 | — | — | — | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 |
— | 10 | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | W 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | W 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | WSW 2 | — |
51 | 26 | 26 | 30 | 26 | 24 | 17 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 148 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 183 | 22 | 22 | 98 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 66 | 202 | 359 | 264 | 359 | 359 | 152 | 48 | 7 | 60 | 22 | 202 | 67 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











