
Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, NNW swell with 223 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 12PM (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 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. 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 1.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) 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 Sunday (Aug 02) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (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 have a look at what's on the cards for the Tawharanui region.
Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – the next 16 days are looking lean. Really lean. We’ve got a long, dry spell kicking off. There’s a bit of tiny swell on Tuesday the 28th, but it’s hardly worth paddling out for. The real story is a big gap of nothing, with hardly any decent surf to speak of until we get into the second week of August.
From Tuesday the 28th right through to the end of the first week, the conditions are just a write-off. Tiny waves, wind all over the place, and mostly onshore. It’s just not happening. We’re talking days and days of flatness or close-to-flat conditions. You’d be better off checking the forecasts again in a week.
Now, if you’re patient, there’s a glimmer of hope. The saving grace looks like it’ll be Wednesday the 12th of August. That’s the one to circle. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell rolling in from the NE, with a 13-second period on the Wednesday morning, lifting to a 12-second period by the afternoon. That’s a proper groundswell, and it’ll be packing some serious energy. The combined energy readings are through the roof – 2098 on Wednesday morning and a massive 2972 Wednesday afternoon. That’s very strong wave energy, no doubt about it.
The wind on the Wednesday afternoon is looking like a dream. Light breeze from the south, cross-offshore, which will keep Tawharanui (a beach and reef setup, exposed to the NE) clean and glassy. This is surf for experienced surfers only, mind you. With that size and power, it’s well over the 8ft mark for the experts, so leave the foam boards at home. The water temp is sitting at 58°F, which is pretty much average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.
That Wednesday afternoon is the standout. The rest of that second week is just more of the same poor conditions, with strong winds and messy chop. The near gale force winds and rain that follow will make it a write-off again.
So, to sum it up: the next week and a half is a total bust. The one real highlight is the 12th of August – a window of proper, powerful, clean swell for the experienced crew. It’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it, but that’s your best bet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Tue night, fresh winds from the NW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 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) | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 14 | NE 14 | N 16 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
53 | 54 | 88 | 84 | 83 | 76 | 72 | 47 | 146 | 110 | 57 | 41 | 21 | 21 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 19 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 10:09AM2.45m | 10:31PM2.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:13AM0.64m | 4:21PM0.64m | ||||||||
7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | E 11 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | E 11 | ESE 5 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 13 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 |
53 | 54 | 88 | 84 | 83 | 76 | 72 | 47 | 40 | 110 | 57 | 41 | 19 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 19 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | — | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 15 | NE 15 | E 9 | E 9 | N 16 | NE 13 | NE 12 |
2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 38 | 39 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 19 | NE 18 | NE 18 | NE 17 | NE 16 | NNW 5 | N 5 | E 10 | E 6 | NE 10 | — | N 16 | NE 15 |
— | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 4 | — | 5 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | S 3 | — | — | N 3 | N 4 | N 4 | N 5 | N 6 | W 3 | W 4 | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 5 | SSE 4 | S 4 | SSW 3 |
6 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 9 | 9 | 37 | 146 | 5 | 9 | 19 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 27 | 51 | 34 | 7 | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 13 | 61 | 61 | 65 | 7 | 61 | 27 | 65 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 44 | 22 | 115 | 157 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
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.










