Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 6s period, SE swell with 241 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s 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 (Aug 16) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 2.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at the charts for Tawharanui. I’ll be straight with you—this is a grim run. The forecast is a long, flat, and frustrating stretch, so don’t get your hopes up for a proper session for a while.
We’re looking at a solid block of tiny, weak, and mostly messy surf. From Sunday the 16th right through to the morning of Monday the 24th, it’s a write-off. The swell is barely a ripple, often under 2 ft, and the energy is pitiful—most days you’re looking at combined energy values between 5 and 50, which is just about nothing. Winds are a mixed bag, but even when it’s glassy or offshore, there’s no swell to work with. The water temp is sitting around 58°, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing special.
The one and only highlight, and it’s a proper standout, hits on Monday the 24th afternoon. The morning is a mess—a raw 8 ft north swell with 19 mph cross-winds and a huge energy reading of 690 (moderate-strong), but it’s lumpy and ugly. Then the wind swings around to a clean offshore from the WSW, dropping to 12 mph, and the swell settles to a solid 7 ft from the north, with a period of 8 seconds. That’s a big, powerful wave at Tawharanui (beach and reef). The combined energy is still a strong 516. This is a serious wave—over 5 ft, so it’s not for beginners, and at 7 ft it’s edging into expert territory. The offshore wind will keep it clean, but that north swell on a beach-and-reef setup can get a bit unruly. It’s the only real chance in the whole 16 days, and it’s a week out, so keep an eye on it—forecasts can tighten up.
After that, it drops right back off. The 25th and 26th see small, weak leftovers, and the 27th is a tease with a 4 ft easterly and offshore wind, but the energy is moderate at 268 and the wind is getting up to 16 mph, so it’s not the same quality. The 30th has a 5 ft pulse of short-period easterly slop, but it’s weak and messy.
So, there you go. One day to pencil in: Monday the 24th afternoon. The rest is a blank. Don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 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) | E 8 | E 8 | SE 5 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 12 | E 10 | E 9 | ESE 7 | E 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | N 16 | N 14 | NE 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 50 | 33 | 137 | 188 | 127 | 36 | 24 | 24 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:32AM2.69m | 9:50PM2.75m | 10:19AM2.64m | 10:35PM2.67m | 11:04AM2.57m | 11:18PM2.56m | 11:48AM2.47m | 00:02AM2.44m | 12:32PM2.36m | 00:47AM2.32m | 1:20PM2.25m | 1:35AM2.21m | 2:15PM2.16m | 2:28AM2.13m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:45PM0.39m | 4:15AM0.43m | 4:28PM0.49m | 4:58AM0.50m | 5:14PM0.61m | 5:42AM0.59m | 6:02PM0.73m | 6:26AM0.70m | 6:53PM0.84m | 7:13AM0.81m | 7:47PM0.93m | 8:03AM0.90m | 8:42PM0.99m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — |
 | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | 1 | 26 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | N 12 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | N 3 | — | N 14 | NE 14 |
| kJ | 50 | 33 | 3 | 188 | 127 | 36 | 24 | 24 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 1 | — | 4 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | E 10 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | E 8 | — | — | E 10 | E 9 | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | — | — | — | 18 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | NE 11 | — | — | NE 10 | E 12 | SE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 16 | E 10 | E 11 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SW 3 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | S 5 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 3 |
| kJ | 8 | 2 | 137 | 75 | 34 | 41 | 15 | 10 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 22 | 157 | 308 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 48 | 78 | 122 | 122 | 60 | 60 | 59 | 59 | 66 | 359 | 202 | 336 | 202 | 279 |
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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