Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, NNW swell with 161 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tawharanui this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happenin’ at Tawharanui. For the next week and a half, it’s flat. Dead flat. You’re better off waxin’ your board and lookin’ at it than paddling out.
From Wednesday, July 29th, right through until the morning of Tuesday, August 11th, the swell just ain’t there. We’re talkin’ tiny waves under 3 feet, weird periods, and wind that’s either blowin’ straight onshore or messin’ up what little shape there is. The water temp’s around 58°, pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year. Don’t get your hopes up.
But hold on. The action finally shows up Tuesday, August 11th. The combined energy of all swells directed here jumps to 477 (moderate) Tuesday morning, then 429 Tuesday afternoon. That ENE swell pushes to about 4 feet with a nice 12-second period – proper groundswell. Wednesday, August 12th is your real standout. The morning brings a solid 6-foot swell from the ENE, 15-second period (that’s super long period, folks), and energy of 1331 – that’s strong, powerful stuff. The afternoon still holds at 5 feet from the E, 14-second period, energy of 1102. Winds are cross-offshore or clean.
Tawharanui is a beach-and-reef set-up. With that long period groundswell, the beach break might get a bit straight, but that reef could focus it into some fun wedges. At over 5 feet, it’s not for beginners; you’ll want some experience under your belt. Crowds are listed as ‘often’, so if the forecast holds, you won’t be alone, but it’ll be worth it.
The best bet is Wednesday, August 12th. That ENE swell around 5 feet with clean offshore winds is the moment to paddle out. The rest of the run? Just a tease. By Thursday the 13th, the wind swings onshore again and the quality drops back off. Don’t sleep on that mid-month pulse.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Sat night, light winds from the SSW by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | N 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | E 11 | N 6 | N 6 | E 11 | E 11 | ESE 7 | NE 14 | NE 14 | N 16 | NE 16 | NE 15 | N 15 | NE 13 | NE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 84 | 83 | 76 | 72 | 54 | 117 | 63 | 39 | 29 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:12PM2.40m | 7:22AM2.31m | 7:51PM2.47m | 8:04AM2.37m | 8:30PM2.52m | 8:45AM2.41m | 9:09PM2.55m | 9:27AM2.44m | 9:49PM2.55m | 10:09AM2.45m | 10:31PM2.54m | 10:52AM2.44m | 11:14PM2.51m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:04PM0.80m | 1:32AM0.85m | 1:46PM0.72m | 2:13AM0.78m | 2:26PM0.66m | 2:53AM0.72m | 3:04PM0.62m | 3:33AM0.67m | 3:42PM0.62m | 4:13AM0.64m | 4:21PM0.64m | 4:55AM0.63m | 5:04PM0.69m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — |
 | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 5 | E 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | S 4 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 |
| kJ | 84 | 83 | 76 | 72 | 46 | 42 | 63 | 39 | 29 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | — | E 12 | NE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 15 | NE 15 | NE 14 | NE 14 | E 9 | NE 16 | NE 15 | N 15 | E 8 | E 7 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 5 | 38 | 39 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 19 | NE 18 | NE 18 | NE 17 | NE 16 | NE 16 | N 6 | SE 5 | E 10 | E 9 | N 16 | E 6 | E 9 | E 9 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 2 | NNE 3 | N 3 | N 4 | N 5 | NNW 5 | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 3 | W 4 | W 4 | S 5 | S 4 | S 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 |
| kJ | 1 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 54 | 117 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 73 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 25 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 61 | 64 | 61 | 61 | 27 | 65 | 7 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 44 | 44 | 48 | 107 | 72 | 202 | 202 | 161 | 336 | 256 |
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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