Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 7s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 6s period, NNW swell with 273 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 7s 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching this forecast for the next couple of weeks. It’s a slow burner, so don’t rush down there just yet.
Right from the start, Tawharanui (Tawharanui) is flat and messy. Through the end of July and the first week of August, the swell is tiny—barely 2 feet—with a lot of cross-onshore wind kicking up chop. The water temp is about 58°, which is normal for this time of year, nothing unusual. From Thursday the 31st of July right through to around the 6th of August, the swell stays well under 3 feet, and even when the wind cleans up a bit, the energy is weak (combined swell energy ranging from 20 to 100). That’s a solid 7-to-8-day stretch of basically nothing worth paddling for.
Things start to pick up around the 6th and 7th of August, with swell bumping to 4 to 6 feet, but the wind is cross-onshore and it’s choppy. The period is short—around 4 to 7 seconds—so it’s all windswell and pretty ordinary. The combined energy creeps into the hundreds, but it’s still poor surf.
The real standout hits in the second week, around Wednesday the 12th of August. The morning brings an offshore wind from the SW at 6 to 10 mph, and a clean 3-foot swell from the ENE at 11 seconds. That’s a groundswell with good shape and longer gaps between sets. The combined energy is moderate (243), and conditions are clean. Thursday the 13th of August morning is the absolute best: the swell jumps to 10 feet from the NNE, with a period of 8 seconds. That’s serious power (combined energy 1351). It’s glassy with a gentle offshore cross-off wind. This is for experienced surfers only—over 8 feet it’s expert territory. The break is a beach and reef setup, so that long-period swell will work well over the reef, but keep in mind it’s inconsistent and rare to get this size. Crowds are often a factor, so expect company.
Friday the 14th of August keeps the energy pumping: 7 to 8 feet from the NNE, 11-second period, fresh offshore wind from the WSW. Combined energy is huge (over 1600). Again, this is only for those with skills—clean, powerful, and hollow, but challenging with the fresh wind.
If you’re not after the big waves, the rest of the run after the 12th is still decent, but the 13th and 14th are the real standouts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Thu night, light winds from the SSE by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | N 5 | NNW 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | E 10 | E 5 | ENE 6 | NNE 14 | N 16 | N 16 | NE 15 | NE 14 | E 18 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 12 | NNW 3 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 72 | 46 | 248 | 107 | 60 | 35 | 22 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 11:36AM2.42m | 11:59PM2.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:39AM0.64m | 5:53PM0.75m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — |
mm | 1 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | ESE 12 | E 11 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | E 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 72 | 46 | 40 | 107 | 60 | 35 | 22 | 12 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 15 | ESE 6 | NNE 14 | NE 13 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 14 | NE 7 | — | NE 8 | N 12 | NE 11 |
| kJ | — | 6 | 2 | 38 | 22 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 19 | NE 18 | NE 18 | NE 17 | NE 16 | NE 16 | NE 15 | N 5 | NE 14 | E 9 | N 16 | N 16 | NE 15 | NE 6 | E 18 | NE 7 | N 12 | E 5 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 7 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | N 5 | NNW 6 | W 3 | W 4 | W 3 | — | — | ESE 3 | — | S 3 | SSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | — | — | — | NNW 3 |
| kJ | 10 | 43 | 248 | 8 | 14 | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 27 | 27 | 65 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 64 | 33 | 22 | 22 | 157 | 336 | 202 | 202 | 107 | 161 | 64 | 64 | 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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