Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, NNE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NNE swell with 561 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with NNE 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 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Sunday (Sep 20) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, it’s been a slow one lately. Tawharanui is not firing at all, I’m sorry to say. There’s basically nothing on the cards for a long stretch here. We’ve got a gap of nearly two weeks from the start of the outlook right through to the beginning of October before anything worth paddling out for shows up. The water temp is sitting at 59°F which is about normal for this time of year.
The only hint of something half-decent is on the morning of Thursday the 1st of October, when a 5ft swell rolls in from the ENE with a short period of 6 seconds. Combined energy is moderate (163), so there’ll be some push to it. It’s still marked as poor surf conditions though, and the wind will be a light cross-offshore breeze, keeping things reasonably clean. The waves won’t have much shape, and with that short period they’ll be a bit crumbly and soft. This one is for the keen lads who don’t mind a grovel.
Honestly, if there’s no swell showing for three-quarters of the window, you know it’s a tough patch. Tawharanui is fairly consistent as a rule, so this quiet spell is unusual. Keep an eye on the forecast though – things can turn around quick.
Stay patient,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Fri morning). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun morning, light winds from the W by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 10 | ENE 10 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NW 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6 | 7 | 6 | 34 | 85 | 132 | 561 | 172 | 30 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 20 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:31AM2.54m | 10:43PM2.46m | 11:12AM2.44m | 11:25PM2.36m | 11:54AM2.33m | 00:08AM2.26m | 12:39PM2.23m | 00:54AM2.17m | 1:31PM2.15m | 1:44AM2.10m | 2:33PM2.12m | 2:41AM2.07m | 3:38PM2.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:42PM0.64m | 5:03AM0.61m | 5:27PM0.74m | 5:45AM0.71m | 6:16PM0.84m | 6:31AM0.81m | 7:09PM0.93m | 7:20AM0.90m | 8:04PM0.99m | 8:15AM0.96m | 9:00PM1.01m | 9:14AM0.98m | 9:57PM1.00m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 7 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | NE 11 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 10 | NNE 9 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | E 10 | N 9 | N 9 | NW 4 |
| kJ | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 319 | 172 | 30 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NE 13 | NE 11 | E 13 | E 13 | E 10 | E 12 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | N 10 | E 10 | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | E 13 | E 12 | — | — | ESE 13 | N 8 | E 12 | ENE 10 | E 11 | E 11 | — | — | N 10 | — | — | E 10 | — |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 16 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 2 | — | — | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | NNE 8 | SE 3 | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | W 4 | WSW 5 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | SSW 3 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 34 | 85 | 132 | 561 | 7 | 99 | 82 | 36 | 36 | 98 | 98 | 45 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 202 | 280 | 67 | 359 | 369 | 67 | 59 | 80 | 115 | 174 | 264 | 359 | 162 | 259 | 206 | 202 | 202 | 202 | 359 | 370 | 359 |
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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