Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, N swell with 127 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. 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 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next 16 days at Tawharanui are a tough watch. For a spot that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the north-east, we’re looking at a long, flat spell. There’s a solid gap from now right through to the end of the month with nothing to get excited about. The ocean is basically asleep. It’s that kind of quiet period where you’re better off checking the forecast again later.
The first real glimmer comes on the morning of the 4th of September. A pulse of swell tries to push in, with a 4ft wave from the north-northwest. The combined wave energy is moderate (123). But here’s the kicker – that swell is short period, just 6 seconds, so it’s messy and weak. The wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it’s not clean. Even though the afternoon cleans up a bit with a cross-offshore breeze, it’s still a poor wave. Nothing to point a board at.
The rest of the window is a write-off. Tiny swell, often under 2ft, with short periods. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The only real action is the wind, which is mostly offshore or cross-offshore, but without any swell to work with, it’s just a waste of a good breeze.
If you’re desperate for a paddle, the 4th of September afternoon is the best you’ll get, but honestly, it’s not worth the drive. The setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer this week. Hang tight, things change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the W by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | E 12 | E 12 | N 12 | N 12 | E 13 | E 12 | N 13 | E 12 | E 12 | NNE 9 | N 4 | NNW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
8 | 44 | 39 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 28 | 61 | 70 | 127 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:28AM2.13m | 3:21PM2.13m | 3:28AM2.09m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:56AM0.96m | 9:38PM1.03m | 9:53AM0.98m | 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 | |||||||
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 11 |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 6 | NNW 5 | N 5 | — | NE 10 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NNE 9 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | N 6 |
8 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 127 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 13 | E 13 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | — | E 13 | E 12 | — | — | E 12 | E 12 | NE 9 | E 11 | E 11 | N 11 | NE 7 |
1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | — | NE 10 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | N 12 | N 12 | — | — | N 13 | E 12 | N 12 | E 10 | E 10 | N 11 | — | — | — |
4 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | — | W 3 | WNW 3 | N 4 | NNW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | — |
7 | 44 | 39 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 9 | 28 | 61 | 70 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 359 | 359 | 369 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 359 | 216 | 102 | 359 | 64 | 359 | 102 | 64 |
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.











