Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, N swell with 476 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tawharanui this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Tawharanui's got cooking for the next couple of weeks. It's a bit of a mixed bag, and honestly, it's a slow start. We're looking at a long, quiet period before anything really gets going.
The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much what you'd expect for this time of year – nothing wild there.
For the first week, from Friday the 28th of August right through to the following Saturday the 5th of September, it's going to be a real struggle. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3 feet, with weak energy readings (typically under 100). You'll see a few pulses of around 3 to 5 feet on the 28th and 29th, but the wind is all over the shop – onshore, cross-onshore, and messy. It's just poor surf conditions day after day. Don't bother waxing up. We're looking at a solid gap with no real recommendations here. The wind finally goes offshore on the 30th, but the swell drops right out, leaving us with knee-high dribble.
The only faint glimmer in this first week is the Saturday afternoon, August 29th. We get a 5-foot swell from the north with an 8-second period, and the wind goes cross-offshore, cleaning it up. The combined energy is a very moderate 261, and it's only rated as marginal. If you're desperate, you might find a lumpy, closed-out wave on the beach, but keep your expectations on the floor.
Now, there is a flicker of life later on. Moving into the second week, around Sunday the 6th of September, a new swell shows up from the NNW. It's small on Sunday at 4 feet (energy 153), but the wind is light and cross-shore, so it'll be a bit bumpy. The pick of the whole forecast, if you can wait, is Wednesday the 9th of September. The morning session looks like the real standout. We get a solid 6-foot northwest swell with a moderate 7-second period, and the wind swings offshore from the WSW. The combined energy hits 265, which is a decent push of moderate power. The conditions should be clean with that offshore breeze. It won't be a world-class day, but after all that flatness, it's the best bet on offer. Keep in mind the period is a bit short, so it'll be a bit crumbly and won't have the punch of a groundswell.
After that, it drops right back down to tiny, clean but unrideable surf for the rest of the period. Strong offshore winds on the 10th and 12th will make paddling a mission for nothing.
So, to sum it up: we have a lot of nothing, then one hopeful morning on Wednesday the 9th. Get out there if you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Sat morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Mon night, light winds from the W by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
45 | 83 | 153 | 253 | 258 | 309 | 61 | 30 | 85 | 71 | 61 | 42 | 41 | 31 | 31 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 10 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:21PM2.50m | 7:39AM2.43m | 8:01PM2.56m | 8:21AM2.50m | 8:42PM2.60m | 9:03AM2.54m | 9:24PM2.61m | 9:46AM2.55m | 10:07PM2.59m | 10:30AM2.54m | 10:53PM2.55m | 11:17AM2.51m | 11:41PM2.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:18PM0.71m | 1:43AM0.73m | 1:59PM0.63m | 2:24AM0.64m | 2:38PM0.58m | 3:04AM0.58m | 3:18PM0.56m | 3:46AM0.54m | 3:59PM0.58m | 4:29AM0.53m | 4:44PM0.63m | 5:15AM0.55m | 5:36PM0.69m | ||||||||
6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | 3 | 11 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | ESE 5 | — | E 14 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 10 |
1 | 3 | — | 4 | 258 | 309 | 61 | 28 | 85 | 71 | 61 | 42 | 41 | 31 | 31 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 10 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | NE 9 | NE 9 | — | E 13 | E 13 | NE 8 | ENE 9 | N 7 | — | NE 9 | — | N 6 | — | N 12 | N 12 | N 12 | — | N 11 | N 11 | N 4 |
2 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 36 | 30 | 9 | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | N 11 | E 15 | — | — | — | E 12 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | E 12 | — | N 11 |
2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | 3 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 7 | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 3 | WNW 2 | W 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 |
45 | 83 | 153 | 253 | — | 27 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 28 | 21 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 256 | 279 | 102 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 107 | 183 | 202 | 183 | 359 | 183 |
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.











