Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, NW swell with 306 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with NNW 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s 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 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer for Tawharanui over the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, mate, it’s a pretty bleak picture for the next 16 days. There’s no real surf to get excited about anywhere in this window. The first recommendation doesn’t kick in until the 11th of September, and even then it’s a mess. We’re looking at a long gap of quiet, tiny conditions before that.
For the first week and a half, Tawharanui is barely showing a pulse. Swell heights are stuck between 0.3 ft and 1 ft with periods that are either short or just not delivering any punch. Winds are mostly offshore or cross-offshore, which would be a dream if there was any wave to ride, but with combined swell energy values often below 55 (weak), it’s flat. The water’s at 58°F which is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
Come the 11th of September, things start to look a bit more interesting but not in a good way for paddle surfing. We see a spike in swell energy on Friday the 11th, with the combined energy hitting 242 and 498 (moderate to strong). Swell heights climb to 6 ft on Friday morning and 7 ft on Friday afternoon, coming from the NNE with a period of just 6 to 7 seconds. That short period, onshore and cross-onshore wind, and a beach and reef setup mean it’s going to be a lumpy, choppy, messy affair. This is the kind of setup that looks far more suited to the kite surfers than anyone on a paddle board.
The swell hangs around into Saturday the 12th, with 4 ft to 5 ft and combined energy values of 447 and 368, but the wind is onshore and the period remains short. It’s just not good quality. The rest of the forecast fades back into tiny, clean but flat conditions.
Honestly, nothing here is a standout. If you’re desperate for a wave, the 11th and 12th have size but poor conditions. For the vast majority of the next two weeks, Tawharanui is a flat, clean lake. It tends not to stay this quiet forever, but this run is a proper dry spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat night, fresh winds from the W by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 7 | ENE 10 | N 5 | ENE 10 | N 4 | N 6 | NW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
33 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 33 | 43 | 34 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 40 | 94 | 306 | 49 | 15 | 9 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 9:46AM2.55m | 10:07PM2.59m | 10:30AM2.54m | 10:53PM2.55m | 11:17AM2.51m | 11:41PM2.49m | 12:07PM2.47m | 00:34AM2.43m | 1:04PM2.42m | 1:32AM2.37m | 2:09PM2.39m | 2:37AM2.34m | 3:21PM2.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:59PM0.58m | 4:29AM0.53m | 4:44PM0.63m | 5:15AM0.55m | 5:36PM0.69m | 6:05AM0.58m | 6:35PM0.76m | 7:00AM0.62m | 7:39PM0.80m | 8:01AM0.66m | 8:45PM0.81m | 9:06AM0.68m | 9:51PM0.78m | ||||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | N 7 | NNW 6 | N 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 |
33 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 34 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 49 | 15 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | — | — | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | N 9 | — | N 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | E 11 | — |
2 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | N 10 | N 10 | NE 11 | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | SW 3 | WSW 2 | — | NNW 5 | N 4 | N 6 | NW 8 | W 5 | WSW 5 | SW 4 |
29 | 24 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 33 | 43 | 3 | 1 | — | 5 | 40 | 94 | 306 | 74 | 100 | 26 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 28 | 22 | 183 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 359 | 359 | 359 | 359 | 378 | 0 | 202 | 397 | 67 | 376 | 397 | 27 | 13 | 115 | 161 |
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.











