
Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 6s period, NNE swell with 372 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. 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 2.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) 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 1.1m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here with the goods for Tawharanui.
Gotta be honest, looking at the next two weeks, it’s a pretty slow start. We’re staring down a long stretch of nothing. The first wave that’s even worth mentioning doesn’t pop up until the 20th of September, so you’re looking at a full week of waiting.
The only break in the book is Tawharanui itself, a beach and reef set-up that faces NE. It’s a solid beginner spot when there’s something, but “fairly consistent” doesn’t help much when the ocean’s totally asleep. The water temp is right about where it should be for this time of year.
For the first week, from now until the 19th, the swell is either flat or total junk. We’ve got strong southwest winds blowing offshore and clean, which would be a dream if there was any energy. Instead, we’re stuck with 0.3ft to 0.7ft dribbles. On the 18th, a pulse of north swell bumps to 5ft with a short 7-second period, but it’s getting hammered by strong cross-onshore winds, creating a messy, lumpy mess with moderate energy (248). That’s more of a kite-surfing wind-lump than a paddle wave.
Finally, on the morning of Sunday the 20th, we get a tiny break. Swell drops to 1ft from the NNE with a moderate offshore breeze. The energy is weak at 50, and the report calls it “surfable but very ordinary.” It’s the best of a bad bunch, but that's not saying much.
From the 21st all the way to the 28th, it’s right back to the flat spell. Tiny 0.3ft to 1ft waves with fresh offshore winds that polish a dead-calm ocean.
So, here’s the truth: the only real “standout” is that one morning on the 20th with some knee-high, clean slop. It’s for the diehards only. A long, dry run like this isn't a total shock for the area when the swell windows shut down. Keep your chin up, the forecast will change.
This is Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Wed night, fresh winds from the NNE by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | N 4 | N 6 | N 7 | NNE 7 | N 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 33 | 251 | 238 | 220 | 138 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 8:21AM2.69m | 8:36PM2.72m | 9:06AM2.67m | 9:19PM2.66m | 9:49AM2.62m | 10:01PM2.57m | 10:31AM2.54m | 10:43PM2.46m | 11:12AM2.44m | 11:25PM2.36m | 11:54AM2.33m | 00:08AM2.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:19AM0.43m | 2:36PM0.42m | 3:01AM0.43m | 3:17PM0.47m | 3:42AM0.46m | 3:59PM0.54m | 4:22AM0.52m | 4:42PM0.64m | 5:03AM0.61m | 5:27PM0.74m | 5:45AM0.71m | 6:16PM0.84m | |||||||
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | 4 | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 13 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NNE 12 | NE 11 | NE 13 | NE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | E 12 | N 7 | E 14 | N 8 |
16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 238 | 4 | 138 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | N 13 | N 13 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | NE 13 | NE 11 | NE 13 | NE 11 | N 11 | N 11 | E 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 7 |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 50 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 16 | N 14 | N 14 | N 14 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 14 | E 9 | N 12 | — | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | E 12 | — | E 16 | ESE 14 | E 13 |
5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 5 | 19 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 2 | — | — | NNW 3 | N 4 | N 6 | — | NNE 7 | — |
24 | 23 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 33 | 251 | — | 220 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 22 | 78 | 161 | 183 | 78 | 73 | 72 | 78 | 202 | 183 | 359 | 66 | 161 | 168 | 330 | 92 | 81 | 0 |
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.










