Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, NE swell with 418 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk surf.
First up, it's a bit of a flat spell kicking things off. The beginning of the week is a write-off, with a messy 6ft cross-on shore chop on Wednesday the 12th that's just not worth paddling out for. We're looking at a few days of nothing much, with small, weak pulses that barely register.
The first real glimmer comes on Thursday the 13th. The morning at Tawharanui (New Zealand) will see a 4ft NE swell, but it's got a short period of 7 seconds. The wind finally plays ball, though, with a light offshore from the SW. The combined energy is weak (112), but the conditions will be clean. The afternoon glass off is even nicer – 2ft and dead calm. It's small, but it's the cleanest surf we'll see for a few days.
The rest of the first week and into the second looks pretty ordinary. Small swell, often less than 3ft, and the wind is a mixed bag. There’s a window on Saturday the 15th with a clean 1ft, but it's tiny. This flat run stretches right through until the 22nd. The water temp is sitting around 58°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.
Now, the one that catches the eye is Sunday the 23rd. We finally see a pulse of energy. The swell jumps to 3ft from the NNE, and the period stretches to 11 seconds – a bit of groundswell feel. The wind is a fresh offshore from the WSW at 19 mph, so it will be clean. The combined energy hits 141 (moderate). This is the best looking swell in the forecast, and it holds into Monday the 24th with a smaller but still clean 3ft from the NE, glassy conditions, and energy at 144. It’s not a massive swell, but it’s the standout of the whole 16 days with clean conditions. This is a promising long-range call, so keep an eye on it.
So, to sum it up: nothing worth chasing until the 13th, which offers a small, clean wave. The real hope is for the 23rd and 24th, where we get a bit of size and quality.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Wed morning, calm by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 344 | 427 | 262 | 112 | 51 | 44 | 41 | 26 | 52 | 25 | 29 | 20 | 79 | 84 | 199 | 29 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 6:38PM2.70m | 7:03AM2.61m | 7:29PM2.78m | 7:54AM2.67m | 8:17PM2.81m | 8:44AM2.69m | 9:04PM2.80m | 9:32AM2.69m | 9:50PM2.75m | 10:19AM2.64m | 10:35PM2.67m | 11:04AM2.57m | 11:18PM2.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:33PM0.44m | 1:07AM0.52m | 1:27PM0.36m | 1:58AM0.45m | 2:16PM0.32m | 2:46AM0.41m | 3:01PM0.33m | 3:32AM0.40m | 3:45PM0.39m | 4:15AM0.43m | 4:28PM0.49m | 4:58AM0.50m | 5:14PM0.61m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — |
 | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — |
mm | 5 | 7 | 5 | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | — | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 9 | E 8 | ENE 9 | E 8 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | 112 | 51 | 44 | 41 | 26 | 52 | 25 | 29 | 20 | 79 | 84 | 40 | 29 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 14 | — | E 6 | NE 9 | E 15 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 6 | E 7 | NE 9 | — | N 12 | NE 8 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | — | 7 | 23 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 19 | — | 3 | 16 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ESE 6 | E 16 | N 11 | E 15 | E 14 | E 8 | — | E 12 | — | — | S 3 | — | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | E 8 | N 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | SSE 2 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | SW 4 | S 3 | SSE 3 | ESE 7 | SSW 2 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | S 3 |
| kJ | 344 | 427 | 262 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | 9 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 199 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 102 | 64 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 22 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 44 | 48 | 66 | 22 | 72 | 64 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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