
Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, NNE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, NNE swell with 517 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period with NNE 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 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 2.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the table for Tawharanui.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you—this stretch is slow. Really slow. We’re looking at a long gap with almost nothing rideable for over a week. The first 12 days? A whole lot of close-to-flat conditions with clean winds, sure, but the swell is barely a ripple. There’s simply no size to work with. It’s one of those spells where you’re better off waxing your board and just staring at the horizon.
Tawharanui (Tawharanui) is a beach and reef setup, fairly consistent by nature, but the swell energy is weak for nearly two weeks. From Saturday the 12th all the way through to Wednesday the 23rd, we’re seeing tiny waves—mostly around 0.7 ft to 2 ft—with combined swell energy sitting between 11 and 61 (weak). Even though the wind is often offshore (SW), keeping it clean, there’s just no push. Periods are middling, mostly 9 to 13 seconds, but it doesn't matter when there’s no height. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
Now, there’s a flicker of life around Friday the 18th morning. Swell jumps to 6 ft from the NNE with a period of 8 seconds, and combined energy hits 359 (moderate). It’s clean with a cross-off breeze. But the score is low—this one is marginal due to tide or something not clicking. Still, that’s the first session that’s even worth a look in the whole period.
The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, lands on Saturday the 26th in the afternoon. Swell comes up to 7 ft from the east, 7-second period, and combined energy is 433 (moderate to strong). The wind is offshore from the SW, and the call is “expect good surf conditions.” This one is for experienced surfers—7 ft is solid and not for beginners. It’s a beach-and-reef break, so a longer period would’ve made it better, but with that offshore wind, it’s going to be clean and punchy. That Saturday arvo is the best on offer, no doubt.
Right after that, Sunday the 27th morning still has 4 ft from the east with offshore winds and moderate energy (150), so a decent follow-up session if you’re keen.
So to sum it up: don’t bother for the first week and a half. The only real light in this entire 16-day window is that Saturday the 26th afternoon at Tawharanui. Get on it if you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the WSW by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | ENE 9 | NNE 12 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | N 5 | N 6 | NNE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
24 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 24 | 6 | 51 | 170 | 517 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 7:35AM2.66m | 7:51PM2.75m | 8:21AM2.69m | 8:36PM2.72m | 9:06AM2.67m | 9:19PM2.66m | 9:49AM2.62m | 10:01PM2.57m | 10:31AM2.54m | 10:43PM2.46m | 11:12AM2.44m | 11:25PM2.36m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:35AM0.47m | 1:53PM0.41m | 2:19AM0.43m | 2:36PM0.42m | 3:01AM0.43m | 3:17PM0.47m | 3:42AM0.46m | 3:59PM0.54m | 4:22AM0.52m | 4:42PM0.64m | 5:03AM0.61m | 5:27PM0.74m | |||||||
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NNE 12 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 11 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | E 13 |
8 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | N 13 | N 13 | N 13 | E 9 | N 12 | NE 13 | NE 11 | N 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | E 13 | — |
24 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 16 | N 14 | N 14 | N 14 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | N 12 | E 9 | N 12 | N 11 | E 8 | N 11 | — | E 10 | — |
17 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | — | — | N 5 | N 6 | NNE 7 |
25 | 62 | 46 | 31 | 28 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 51 | 170 | 517 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 107 | 115 | 22 | 22 | 78 | 183 | 202 | 78 | 202 | 66 | 78 | 199 | 107 | 208 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 0 |
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.










