
Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, NNW swell with 325 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 6AM (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 Monday (Jul 27) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
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’s on offer for Tawharanui over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a grim run for the most part, so don’t get your hopes up.
The first ten days or so are a write-off. From Tuesday the 21st of July right through to the end of the month, the surf is tiny and messy. We’re talking shin-high slop with poor conditions. The wind is all over the shop, and when it does go offshore, it’s blowing a gale – 25 mph on the Saturday morning of the 25th – which makes it impossible to paddle into anything. The combined swell energy is weak, mostly under 100, so there’s just no power in the water. You’d be better off checking the wind forecast for a kite session than a paddle.
There’s a slight flicker of hope on Monday the 27th of July. The morning shows a clean, light offshore wind from the SW, and a small 1 ft groundswell from the east with a long period of 14 seconds. The combined energy hits 115 (moderate), so there’s a bit of push. But it’s still a tiny wave, and the afternoon gets hammered by a fresh 22 mph offshore. That morning window might be the only time you see a half-decent ripple all week.
The next real standout, and honestly the best we’ve got, shows up on Saturday the 1st of August. The morning brings a 6 ft swell from the NW, with a short period of 6 seconds. The wind is light and cross-shore from the ESE at 6 mph, so it’ll be clean. The combined energy jumps to 276 (moderate), so there’s some real weight. At Tawharanui (beach and reef), this swell direction is a bit off the optimum (NE), but the size is there. Just a heads up – 6 ft is a bit much for beginners, and the short period means it’ll be a bit lumpy. Still, it’s the only time in the whole forecast that the waves are worth paddling out for. Expect crowds here, as it’s often busy.
After that, it’s back to tiny, onshore slop through to the end of the outlook. The second week is all about strong onshore winds and knee-high dribble. Nothing to see.
So, to sum it up: the only day that gets a nod of the head is the morning of Saturday the 1st of August. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best of a bad lot. The rest of the time, leave the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Thu night, strong winds from the WNW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | N 7 | NNE 7 | E 10 | E 10 | E 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | N 7 | NNW 6 | E 9 | E 12 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | E 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
106 | 43 | 23 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 45 | 159 | 23 | 8 | 25 | 31 | 26 | 32 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 11:53PM2.61m | 12:22PM2.48m | 00:40AM2.50m | 1:11PM2.38m | 1:27AM2.39m | 2:02PM2.28m | 2:18AM2.28m | 3:01PM2.21m | 3:13AM2.20m | 4:03PM2.19m | 4:11AM2.15m | 5:00PM2.21m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:21AM0.57m | 6:38PM0.71m | 7:09AM0.67m | 7:32PM0.82m | 7:57AM0.76m | 8:27PM0.90m | 8:46AM0.85m | 9:21PM0.96m | 9:37AM0.92m | 10:15PM0.98m | 10:30AM0.95m | 11:09PM0.99m | |||||||
— | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 9 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 11 | E 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NNE 7 | N 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | N 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | E 12 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | E 13 |
11 | 10 | 23 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 159 | 23 | 8 | 25 | 31 | 26 | 32 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | E 11 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | — | E 10 | N 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | N 6 | E 11 | E 14 | NNW 6 |
1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 21 | 16 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 8 | N 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 5 | E 10 | N 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 14 | E 17 | E 16 | E 10 | — |
— | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | 6 | 5 | 8 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | — | SSW 2 | S 3 | SSW 2 | SW 3 | SW 2 | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | WNW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | W 4 | WSW 4 | SE 4 |
106 | 43 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 11 | 45 | 21 | 54 | 75 | 19 | 27 | 20 | 12 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 64 | 13 | 44 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 161 | 103 | 161 | 256 | 64 | 383 | 86 | 369 | 371 | 22 | 256 | 240 | 162 |
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.










