Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, NNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, NNW swell with 396 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with NNW 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 04) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m 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 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's look at what we've got for the Tawharanui stretch. To be straight with you, the next week and a half are looking pretty bleak, but there's a little something to keep an eye on further out.
Overall, we're in for a long quiet spell. From now until September 11th, there's just nothing doing. Days and days of tiny, weak surf with strong winds. You'd be better off waxing your board and waiting. The combined energy is mostly in the double digits, often under 40, so the ocean is basically asleep for that stretch.
The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is about 0.5° cooler than average for this time of year, so nothing out of the ordinary there. Just your typical late-winter chill.
The first real sign of life pops up on Thursday, September 11th. The morning shows a 5 ft swell from the ESE with a 6-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 242, which is moderate. That's decent, but the real standout is the afternoon. The wind goes glassy, with a light northwest breeze, and the swell bumps up to 6 ft from the east, pushing the energy to 308. This is the best on offer by a long shot. The swell period is short, so it won't have the raw power of a groundswell, but clean, glassy waves like that at a beach and reef setup are hard to pass up. Keep in mind, if the swell comes in over 8 ft it's only for experts, but 6 ft is right in the sweet spot for a fun session if you're comfortable. Tawharanui (New Zealand) is exposed to the NE, so that east direction is working for it. Just be aware that crowds are often a thing here, so you won't be alone if it's pumping.
Friday, September 12th, fades quickly with onshore winds and smaller surf. That's your window: the afternoon of the 11th.
After that, it drops right back off into tiny, weak conditions for the remainder of the 16-day window. No other standouts worth paddling out for.
Stay patient, save your energy for that glassy Thursday arvo.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, light winds from the W by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | NNE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
39 | 37 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 72 | 396 | 43 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 29 | 256 | 73 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:03AM2.54m | 9:24PM2.61m | 9:46AM2.55m | 10:07PM2.59m | 10:30AM2.54m | 10:53PM2.55m | 11:17AM2.51m | 11:41PM2.49m | 12:07PM2.47m | 00:34AM2.43m | 1:04PM2.42m | 1:32AM2.37m | 2:09PM2.39m | 2:37AM2.34m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:18PM0.56m | 3:46AM0.54m | 3:59PM0.58m | 4:29AM0.53m | 4:44PM0.63m | 5:15AM0.55m | 5:36PM0.69m | 6:05AM0.58m | 6:35PM0.76m | 7:00AM0.62m | 7:39PM0.80m | 8:01AM0.66m | 8:45PM0.81m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NNE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NNW 7 |
39 | 37 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 255 | 43 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 73 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | — | NNE 9 | — | N 7 | — | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 11 | NE 10 | N 10 | — | NE 9 |
1 | — | 16 | — | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | W 3 | W 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | SW 4 | SW 3 | WSW 2 | — | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | W 4 |
32 | 31 | 28 | 35 | 17 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 72 | 396 | 10 | 2 | 1 | — | 29 | 256 | 43 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 112 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 107 | 336 | 202 | 295 | 359 | 359 | 359 | 359 | 22 | 0 | 202 | 370 | 67 | 372 | 378 | 22 |
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.











