
Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, NNW swell with 219 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period with E 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.7m 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 1.6m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what we've got for the local area.
Honestly, it's a pretty flat and uninspiring outlook ahead. We've got a long, long stretch of tiny, weak slop and poor conditions to work through first. Don't get your hopes up for anything decent for a while.
Right now, for Monday the 27th, it's small. Tawharanui is your only real option, but the swell is a mere 1ft from the East with weak energy. The offshore wind from the SSW will keep it clean, but don't expect much. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is pretty much average for this time of year.
That tiny bit of energy fades fast. Tuesday and Wednesday see the same tiny waist-high stuff, but the wind swings onshore and it gets choppy and messy – basically junk. Not worth the paddle. We then hit a dead zone from Thursday afternoon, 30th July, all the way through to Monday morning, 10th August. For over a week, there is simply no worthwhile surf on the table. It's all knee-high dribble with moderate to fresh winds. This stretch is a real bummer.
Finally, on Monday the 10th of August, we get a tiny glimmer. It's still small, with 1ft from the ESE, but the wind goes light and clean. The energy is still weak. It's surfable and ordinary, but if you're desperate for a paddle, this is your window.
That bit of energy holds into Tuesday the 11th, with similar wind conditions making for clean, small waves. It's not a stand-out, just a quiet morning for a longboard. Heading further out, the models suggest we might see a slight uptick with some 1ft waves and cleaner wind on the 10th and 11th, so keep an eye on it.
It's a bleak outlook, to be honest. The energy just isn't there and the onshore winds kill most of the weak swell that does pop up. Don't hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | NNW 6 | N 7 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 12 | NE 15 | NE 14 | NE 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
52 | 54 | 53 | 54 | 56 | 84 | 83 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 192 | 86 | 37 | 21 | 21 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:49PM2.26m | 5:55AM2.19m | 6:32PM2.33m | 6:40AM2.24m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:00AM0.96m | 12:17PM0.88m | 00:48AM0.92m | 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 | ||||||||
— | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | N 7 | N 6 | E 11 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | E 12 | NE 15 | NE 14 | NE 14 |
52 | 54 | 53 | 54 | 56 | 84 | 83 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 39 | 86 | 29 | 21 | 18 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | — | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | — | NE 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 17 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 12 |
6 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 6 | 2 | 38 | 37 | 11 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | N 6 | — | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 19 | NE 18 | NE 18 | NE 11 | NE 16 | NE 16 | — | — | E 13 | — |
1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 11 | — | — | 3 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | S 3 | S 3 | SSE 3 | — | — | N 3 | N 4 | N 4 | N 4 | NNW 6 | W 4 | WSW 4 | NW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | S 5 | S 3 | SW 3 | S 5 |
9 | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 6 | 11 | 40 | 192 | 26 | 27 | 23 | 28 | 65 | 27 | 1 | 2 | 85 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 53 | 61 | 67 | 27 | 7 | 27 | 65 | 7 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 78 | 22 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Northland | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










