
Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, NE swell with 358 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 7s period with NE 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about Tawharanui.
Honestly, mate, it’s a tough stretch ahead. We’re looking at a solid two-week run where the surf just doesn’t want to line up properly. There’s a real gap at the start, with nothing worth paddling out for from now right through until Friday afternoon. From there, we get a few days of small, ordinary waves, but nothing that’ll get the heart racing. After that, another big gap of flat or near-flat conditions sets in from around the 20th of August, lasting several days.
Let’s break it down.
The first sign of life shows up on Friday, 14th August in the afternoon. Tawharanui sees a tiny NNE swell pushing about 2 feet with a 10-second period, and the wind goes glassy. The combined swell energy is only 96, so it’s weak, but it’s the cleanest we’ll see in a while. You could get a few fun little waves on a log, but it’s not going to be pumping.
Saturday, 15th August, the morning has light SSW offshore wind at about 6 mph and a 2-foot NE swell. The combined energy drops to 41, so it’s really weak. The afternoon picks up a bit with a 2-foot E swell at 8 seconds and a moderate 12 mph SW offshore. That offshore wind will clean it right up, and the energy bumps to 65, but it’s still small and ordinary.
The pick of the bunch, if you can call it that, is Sunday, 16th August. Morning brings a 3-foot E swell with a 9-second period, gentle SW offshore wind at 9 mph, and combined energy of 112 (moderate). It’s clean, the swell is slightly bigger, and it’s the best we’ve got. The afternoon holds similar with 3-foot, 9-second E swell and the same offshore breeze, energy at 106. This is about as good as the forecast gets for this stretch.
Monday, 17th August fades again, with 2-foot E swell and strong cross-offshore wind, not worth the effort. Tuesday, 18th August brings back a tiny 2-foot E swell, but it’s clean with light cross-offshore wind and 73 energy. Still very ordinary.
From Wednesday, 19th August onward, it’s a slow death. Swell drops to 2 feet, then 1 foot, then 0.7 feet. There’s some glass and offshore winds in there, but you’re scratching for anything rideable.
Tawharanui is a beach and reef setup, so it needs a decent push of swell to work. The water temp sits at about 58°, which is about average for the time of year.
Honestly mate, if you’re desperate for a paddle, aim for Sunday the 16th. It’s the only day with even a hint of fun, clean surf. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Tue night, calm by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NE 6 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
153 | 240 | 151 | 292 | 352 | 262 | 139 | 91 | 44 | 41 | 61 | 43 | 33 | 33 | 196 | 97 | 103 | 55 | 53 | 35 | 4 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:45PM2.59m | 6:08AM2.53m | 6:38PM2.70m | 7:03AM2.61m | 7:29PM2.78m | 7:54AM2.67m | 8:17PM2.81m | 8:44AM2.69m | 9:04PM2.80m | 9:32AM2.69m | 9:50PM2.75m | 10:19AM2.64m | 10:35PM2.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:32AM0.53m | 00:11AM0.62m | 12:33PM0.44m | 1:07AM0.52m | 1:27PM0.36m | 1:58AM0.45m | 2:16PM0.32m | 2:46AM0.41m | 3:01PM0.33m | 3:32AM0.40m | 3:45PM0.39m | 4:15AM0.43m | 4:28PM0.49m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
— | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | N 12 | N 12 | N 12 | E 13 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | NE 6 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | N 11 |
153 | 240 | 151 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 91 | 44 | 41 | 61 | 43 | 33 | 33 | 196 | 97 | 103 | 55 | 53 | 35 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | E 11 | N 13 | — | — | E 14 | — | — | NE 9 | E 15 | E 8 | ENE 6 | E 8 | NE 9 | — | NE 8 | N 12 | NE 12 | — | — | E 14 |
6 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 23 | 5 | 31 | 13 | 5 | 29 | — | 15 | 3 | 5 | — | — | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 12 | E 11 | — | — | — | E 13 | — | NE 9 | N 11 | E 15 | N 5 | E 13 | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | E 15 | — |
— | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 23 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 4 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | SSE 3 | S 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 3 | WSW 4 | S 3 | S 4 | SSE 6 |
— | — | 7 | 292 | 352 | 262 | 139 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 12 | 27 | 16 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 14 | 190 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 64 | 64 | 67 | 67 | 67 | 44 | 1 | 7 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 157 | 33 |
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.











