Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 7s period, E swell with 1,042 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 3.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here, checking in with the local surf outlook. We've got a bit of a slow start, so hang in there.
The first week is a write-off for any decent waves. Nothing but small, weak, and messy conditions right through until the end of the week. It’s a frustrating gap of about five days with absolutely nothing to recommend. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is pretty average for this time of year at Tawharanui, so no surprises there.
Finally, things start to look promising on Saturday, July 19th. That's the first real standout. The swell picks up to a solid 8ft from the east with a 10-second period, and the wind is offshore from the SSW. We're looking at moderate wave energy (1340) and clean conditions. This is proper groundswell energy, and it’s going to be powerful. It's going to be too big for beginners, so this one is for the experienced crew only. The crowds are "often" here, so expect company for these excellent waves.
The action doesn't stop there. Sunday the 20th keeps the power going with another 8ft east swell and strong offshore winds. Then we roll into the new week. Tuesday, July 22nd sees the swell ease a bit to 5ft from the east, but with glassy conditions in the afternoon – that’s a major positive for clean faces. The combined swell energy (512) is moderate and it would be very good surf.
Looking further out to Friday, July 25th, the swell settles in at a solid 7ft from the east-northeast. The period is a nice long 12 seconds, which is prime groundswell, and with light offshore winds, we’re looking at excellent conditions for experienced surfers again. The energy reading is very strong (1226). This has the makings of a really clean, powerful day. Keep an eye on this one.
We finish the 16-day window on Sunday the 27th with another 7ft east-northeast swell in the afternoon, moderate offshore winds, and excellent surf for the experienced crew.
It's a slow start, but once it kicks in, Tawharanui has some proper sessions on offer. The standout is definitely that Saturday, July 19th and the following Friday the 25th.
So grab your step-up board for those big days.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Sat 18 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | NNE 5 | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 14 | E 19 | E 17 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 65 | 43 | 27 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 30 | 78 | 58 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 28 | 92 | 79 | 70 | 68 | 37 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:14AM2.39m | 5:01PM2.47m | 5:20AM2.46m | 6:01PM2.59m | 6:21AM2.53m | 6:55PM2.70m | 7:18AM2.60m | 7:48PM2.77m | 8:12AM2.65m | 8:39PM2.81m | 9:05AM2.67m | 9:30PM2.81m | 9:56AM2.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:18PM0.75m | 10:41AM0.54m | 11:22PM0.67m | 11:44AM0.46m | 00:24AM0.58m | 12:46PM0.38m | 1:22AM0.49m | 1:43PM0.31m | 2:17AM0.42m | 2:36PM0.26m | 3:09AM0.39m | 3:24PM0.27m | 3:58AM0.40m | 4:11PM0.33m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | |  | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — |
 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | E 10 | E 11 | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | E 17 | E 16 | E 15 | N 7 | N 7 |
| kJ | 65 | 43 | 27 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 92 | 79 | 70 | 24 | 27 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 10 | NNW 5 | E 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | E 14 | E 19 | NNE 4 | N 5 | N 4 | E 15 | E 14 |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 28 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 68 | 37 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | NE 11 | N 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | E 14 | E 10 | E 13 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NE 10 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 2 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 4 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 | N 4 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | — | WNW 2 | — | N 4 | N 4 | — | — | — | — | SSW 2 | SSE 3 | SE 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | 10 | 14 | 30 | 78 | 58 | — | 1 | — | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 13 | 59 | 64 | 61 | 64 | 102 | 22 | 0 | 60 | 81 | 256 | 66 | 60 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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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