Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, NNE swell with 166 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore 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 (Aug 31) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Tawharanui.
The next few days are a total dead zone. From Monday the 24th of August right through Friday the 28th, it’s flat, tiny, and not worth a second look. You’ll be waiting.
Saturday the 29th of August is the only real chance. Saturday morning brings a 4ft swell from the north, with a short 6-second period. The wind is light offshore from the southwest, so the surface is clean. The combined wave energy is moderate (144). It’s surfable, but nothing special. Then Saturday afternoon, the swell holds at 4ft from the north-northeast, with a 7-second period, and the wind stays light offshore. The combined energy jumps to a solid moderate (254). That’s your best window. Clean, fun, but not a classic.
The rest of the forecast is a mix of small swell and strong winds. Sunday the 30th has a weak 2ft to 2ft northeast swell, but the wind is a fresh 22 mph from the west-southwest. Clean, but way too small. Monday the 31st is the same story. The first few days of September bring some weak, short-period north and northeast swell, but nothing worth chasing.
There’s a pulse on Friday the 4th of September, with a 6ft north swell. The period is only 6 seconds, and the wind is light cross-onshore. The combined energy is strong (266), but the conditions are only marginal. The swell is big enough to be a handful for beginners, and the wind will put some texture on it.
Water temp is 57°F, which is about 0.9°F cooler than normal. Nothing wild.
So, the only real call is Saturday afternoon, the 29th of August. It’s the cleanest, most fun option in the whole stretch. After that, it’s a long, quiet wait. Don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sat morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sun morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 12 | N 12 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | N 13 | E 12 | N 12 | E 12 | NE 9 | N 4 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 21 | 43 | 71 | 124 | 166 | 61 | 45 | 77 | 62 | |
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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:24PM2.16m | 4:29AM2.11m | 5:16PM2.23m | 5:24AM2.16m | 6:01PM2.33m | 6:12AM2.25m | 6:41PM2.42m | 6:57AM2.34m | 7:21PM2.50m | 7:39AM2.43m | 8:01PM2.56m | 8:21AM2.50m | 8:42PM2.60m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:35PM1.03m | 10:52AM0.96m | 11:29PM0.99m | 11:47AM0.89m | 00:18AM0.92m | 12:35PM0.80m | 1:01AM0.82m | 1:18PM0.71m | 1:43AM0.73m | 1:59PM0.63m | 2:24AM0.64m | 2:38PM0.58m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | — | NE 10 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | N 3 | N 3 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 9 | NE 9 |
2 | — | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 166 | 61 | 36 | 77 | 62 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NE 10 | — | E 13 | E 12 | — | E 12 | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | NE 7 | N 11 | N 11 | E 12 | E 14 | NNW 7 | N 7 | NE 10 | NW 6 | — |
5 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 85 | 24 | 45 | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | N 12 | E 13 | — | — | N 13 | N 10 | N 12 | E 12 | — | — | E 9 | — | — | — | E 13 | NE 11 | N 6 | E 12 | — |
3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 18 | 3 | 3 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | SSW 3 | WSW 2 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | — | W 2 | — | — | N 4 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 4 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 14 | 21 | 43 | 71 | 124 | — | 13 | 14 | 11 | 21 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 202 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 279 | 256 | 102 | 64 | 64 | 102 | 67 | 359 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 112 |
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.











