Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, NNW swell with 350 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tawharanui this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let's have a look at what we've got coming up for Tawharanui.
Honestly, it's a pretty bleak run for the next couple of weeks. There’s a big gap of nothing really worthwhile right at the start. From Monday the 14th right through until late on Saturday the 26th of September, it’s just tiny, weak dribble. We’re talking ankle-snappers with combined wave energy barely cracking double figures – mostly under 20 (19) – and no real push. The wind’s often offshore, which would be perfect if there was any swell to work with, but there isn’t.
The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
You’ve got to wait until the afternoon of Saturday the 26th for the first sign of life. That afternoon we see a bump to 4ft from the NNW, but with a short, weak 6-second period. The energy is still low at 89, and the comment is “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions”. It’s clean with a gentle offshore, so you might get a few, but it’s nothing to write home about.
Then on Tuesday the 29th of September, the afternoon shows a similar story: 3ft from the NNW, again short period at 5 seconds, energy at 81, and moderate offshore wind. It’s the same deal – surfable but ordinary.
The biggest bit of action is actually a dud. On Thursday the 17th of September, there’s a jump to 7ft from the NNW, but it’s getting smashed by a strong 22 mph cross-onshore wind from the N, making it a lumpy, blown-out mess. That one’s for the kites, not the paddle crew.
So, overall, there are no standouts here. It’s a long, flat run with a couple of very average, small days right at the tail end of the forecast. Keep the board in the car, but don’t get your hopes up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Mainly near gales. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NNE 7 | E 13 | NE 11 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 117 | 350 | 58 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 9:06AM2.67m | 9:19PM2.66m | 9:49AM2.62m | 10:01PM2.57m | 10:31AM2.54m | 10:43PM2.46m | 11:12AM2.44m | 11:25PM2.36m | 11:54AM2.33m | 00:08AM2.26m | 12:39PM2.23m | 00:54AM2.17m | 1:31PM2.15m | 1:44AM2.10m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:17PM0.47m | 3:42AM0.46m | 3:59PM0.54m | 4:22AM0.52m | 4:42PM0.64m | 5:03AM0.61m | 5:27PM0.74m | 5:45AM0.71m | 6:16PM0.84m | 6:31AM0.81m | 7:09PM0.93m | 7:20AM0.90m | 8:04PM0.99m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | -1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 11 | NE 13 | NE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | N 7 | N 6 | NNE 7 | N 6 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 11 | E 11 |
| kJ | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 58 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 13 | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | NE 13 | S 3 | NE 13 | NE 11 | N 10 | E 13 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NNW 6 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 11 | — | N 7 | N 11 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 14 | E 9 | N 12 | NE 11 | N 11 | N 11 | E 13 | — | E 12 | E 12 | NE 11 | E 13 | N 6 | E 12 | — | E 11 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | — | 2 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 2 | SW 3 | — | — | NNW 2 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | SW 4 | W 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 117 | 350 | 12 | 33 | 45 | 35 | 28 | 16 | 22 | 13 | 8 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 183 | 78 | 202 | 161 | 202 | 202 | 279 | 359 | 102 | 359 | 360 | 22 | 161 | 296 | 259 | 308 | 337 | 359 | 336 | 376 | 308 |
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.
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