Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, NNE swell with 226 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period with NE 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 01) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Tawharanui.
Right off the bat, it’s a tough stretch. From Wednesday the 26th of August all the way through to the 6th of September, the surf is flat or just plain poor. Swell heights are stuck between 0.3 ft and 5 ft, mostly from the north with short, weak periods. The wind is messy—onshore or cross-onshore a lot of the time, and when it does swing offshore, there’s no swell to work with. The combined energy is weak, usually under 100 (9 to 197). It’s a real dry spell.
The first sign of life comes on Sunday the 6th of September afternoon. The swell picks up to 4 ft from the north with a 6-second period, and the wind goes light cross-offshore from the west at 15 km/h. The combined energy hits 100 (moderate), and it’s clean. You’ll find a surfable wave, but nothing to get excited about.
Then Monday the 7th of September is the big one. A serious pulse of north swell rolls in at 12 ft with an 8-second period. The combined energy is massive—1332 in the morning and 1666 in the afternoon. That’s strong to very strong energy. The wind is cross-offshore from the WNW at 25 km/h in the afternoon, keeping it clean. But here’s the deal: this is a beach and reef setup, and 12 ft is way too big for the break. The file says it’s ‘too big for this break,’ so this is for experts only. If you’re a seasoned local and know the reef, this is your day. The water temperature is 57°, which is about 1° cooler than normal—nothing wild, just a typical winter chill.
After that, Tuesday the 8th of September drops off hard with 3 ft and strong offshore winds from the WSW at 40 km/h. The energy is weak (99), and while it’s clean, it’s a tough paddle. The rest of the second week stays small, with waves between 2 ft and 5 ft, mostly from the north-northwest, and periods around 5 to 6 seconds. The wind is offshore or cross-offshore, so conditions are clean, but the swell is just too weak. The energy stays in the weak to moderate range (59 to 199). Nothing else stands out.
So, bottom line: skip the first week and a half. The only day worth a look is Monday the 7th of September for the big swell, but only if you’re an expert who knows the reef. For everyone else, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | E 12 | NE 9 | N 12 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 42 | 74 | 129 | 200 | 214 | 206 | 95 | 88 | 79 | 49 | 54 | 47 | 60 | 60 | 30 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:12AM2.25m | 6:41PM2.42m | 6:57AM2.34m | 7:21PM2.50m | 7:39AM2.43m | 8:01PM2.56m | 8:21AM2.50m | 8:42PM2.60m | 9:03AM2.54m | 9:24PM2.61m | 9:46AM2.55m | 10:07PM2.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:18AM0.92m | 12:35PM0.80m | 1:01AM0.82m | 1:18PM0.71m | 1:43AM0.73m | 1:59PM0.63m | 2:24AM0.64m | 2:38PM0.58m | 3:04AM0.58m | 3:18PM0.56m | 3:46AM0.54m | 3:59PM0.58m | |||||||
— | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 11 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 4 | NE 9 | NE 8 | N 11 | NE 9 | — | E 14 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 |
— | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 4 | 214 | 206 | 95 | 88 | 79 | 49 | 54 | 47 | 60 | 60 | 30 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | NE 9 | E 11 | N 11 | E 15 | — | E 13 | N 8 | E 12 | NNW 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | NW 5 | — |
4 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | 3 | 129 | 3 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | E 12 | — | N 12 | N 11 | E 11 | — | — | — | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 2 | — | — | N 3 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | — | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 |
1 | — | — | 1 | 42 | 74 | 129 | 200 | — | 15 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 7 | 3 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 279 | 102 | 64 | 64 | 256 | 72 | 64 | 64 | 7 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
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.











