
Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period, NE swell with 32 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s 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 (Sep 10) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s 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 0.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m gonna level with you. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a paddle. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak surf, and it’s going to test your patience.
The only real pulse of energy arrives Tuesday morning, September 8th. We’re looking at a clean 2ft wave at Tawharanui, pushing in from the north. The wind is a moderate offshore from the southwest, which will keep the faces tidy. Water temp is sitting at 58°, which is right on average for this time of year. The combined energy is only 61, so while it’s surfable, it’s not going to blow your mind. That’s your one and only shot in the near term.
From Tuesday afternoon and through the rest of the week, it just fades away. We’re talking knee-high slop at best, with swells dropping to 0.3ft for days on end. The swell direction is all over the place, but the size just isn't there. There’s a strong offshore breeze on Friday, September 11th, but with 0.7ft on offer, it’s a skunk fest. You’d be fighting a 25 mph wind for nothing.
This flat spell really digs in. We’re looking at a solid ten days or more with nothing worth paddling out for. The energy readings are pathetic, single digits and low teens. It’s the kind of stretch where the only thing breaking is your heart.
There is a faint glimmer on the horizon for Wednesday morning, September 23rd. The models are showing a 2ft swell with a short 6-second period, and a gentle offshore breeze. It’s still small, but it’s the most promising thing on the charts. Mark it in the calendar, but don’t hold your breath. It’s a long way out, so treat that one as a hopeful “maybe” rather than a plan.
Honestly, with the swell this small and winds this strong for most of the run, the setup here might look more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. The ocean is giving us nothing. That’s the way it goes sometimes. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out, but right now, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the SSW by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat night, light winds from the SW by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NE 15 | NE 8 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NNE 14 | NNE 13 | NE 12 | ENE 9 | NNE 12 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
27 | 15 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:28PM2.49m | 4:54AM2.43m | 5:26PM2.59m | 5:53AM2.53m | 6:18PM2.68m | 6:46AM2.61m | 7:06PM2.74m | 7:35AM2.66m | 7:51PM2.75m | 8:21AM2.69m | 8:36PM2.72m | 9:06AM2.67m | 9:19PM2.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:56PM0.71m | 11:19AM0.59m | 11:55PM0.62m | 12:17PM0.51m | 00:47AM0.53m | 1:07PM0.44m | 1:35AM0.47m | 1:53PM0.41m | 2:19AM0.43m | 2:36PM0.42m | 3:01AM0.43m | 3:17PM0.47m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 8 | N 5 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NNE 12 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 |
27 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | S 3 | NE 15 | NE 15 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NNE 14 | NNE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | N 14 | E 8 | N 13 | N 13 | N 13 |
1 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 16 | NE 17 | NE 8 | NE 8 | — | — | NE 16 | ENE 8 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NNE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 16 | N 14 | E 9 | N 14 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 |
10 | 12 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 10 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 | NW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 |
2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 8 | 30 | 40 | 28 | 35 | 28 | 24 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 78 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 102 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 132 | 115 | 22 | 162 | 115 | 78 | 162 | 183 | 256 | 337 | 359 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










