Tawharanui Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.37° S 174.84° E

Tawharanui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 21 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Tawharanui sea temperature is
14.1° C
0.4° 

Tawharanui surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Tawharanui surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, N swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, N swell with 43 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 0.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) 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 0.6m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Best Surf 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sun 23rd Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Tawharanui.

Honestly, mate, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. The forecast is looking pretty bleak for the next 16 days. We’re staring down a long, dry spell with no real quality surf on offer. The conditions are just not cooperating, and it’s gonna be a waiting game.

We start off with a few days of tiny, weak waves. Friday the 21st through the weekend, you’re looking at ankle-snappers, mostly around 1 ft to 3 ft from the NNW or E. The wind is a mess of cross-off and cross-shore breezes, and the combined energy is just a whisper, barely cracking 54 (moderate wave energy). It’s a write-off.

The next week doesn’t get any better. From Monday the 24th right through to Thursday the 3rd of September, it’s just a flat spell. We’re talking about wave heights barely hitting 0.3 ft to 2 ft. The wind will be a mix of off and cross-off, so it’ll be clean, but there’s simply no swell to push it around. The combined energy levels are pitiful, mostly in the single digits or low double digits (weak wave energy). You’d be better off cleaning your board or takin’ a nap.

Now, there is a little blip on the radar. Saturday the 29th of August sees a pulse of swell from the N, pushing waves up to 6 ft. The combined energy jumps to 216 (strong wave energy). But don’t get your hopes up. The wind is a nasty cross-on from the N at 12 mph, and the period is a short, crumbly 6 seconds. This makes for messy, choppy conditions. It’s a classic case of “looks good on paper, feels terrible in the water.” For a beginner, that 6 ft is gettin’ big, and the chop would make it a real handful. The whole setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The only glimmer of hope is towards the end. On Sunday the 30th of August, we get some clean-up. The wind swings offshore from the WSW at 19 mph, and the swell drops to a more manageable 3 ft from the N. It’s a fresh offshore breeze (fresh offshore and clean), which is a major positive. The combined energy is at 87 (weak wave energy), so it’s not gonna be pumping, but it’ll be a whole lot tidier than the day before. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your window, but keep expectations low.

The rest of the first week of September is just more of the same – tiny, weak slop with no consistency. No standout days, no hidden gems. Just a waiting game for the next proper swell.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
E
9
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
9
0.1
NE
14
0.1
NE
14
0.9
NNW
4
0.8
NNW
5
0.7
N
6
0.3
NNW
5
0.1
E
12
0.1
E
12
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
12
0.1
E
12
0.1
NE
10
0.1
N
12
0.1
E
12
0.1
NE
9
0.1
NE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
15
8
6
8
8
32
37
32
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
15
W
15
WNW
20
W
20
NW
25
NW
35
WNW
20
WSW
15
WSW
20
SW
10
WSW
15
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
10
W
15
WSW
10
W
10
WNW
15
NNE
15
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross
High Tide
1:35AM2.21m
2:15PM2.16m
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
Low Tide
7:47PM0.93m
8:03AM0.90m
8:42PM0.99m
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
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:53
5:54
5:55
 mm
1
Temp °C
14
13
14
14
12
15
16
13
15
15
12
14
14
12
15
16
12
13
14
14
Feels °C
10
9
9
9
8
9
10
9
11
11
9
10
10
9
13
12
10
11
11
11
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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