Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, NNE swell with 509 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with N 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
First off, I’ve got to be straight with you – the next two weeks at Tawharanui (Tawharanui) are a tough watch. The swell is tiny for the most part, and when it does show some size, the wind just messes it up. We’re talking light rain and cross-onshore winds on Saturday the 29th of August with a 5.2ft swell from the north, but it’s short-period at 7 seconds and the energy is weak (265). The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The only real bright spot comes Saturday afternoon, when the wind swings offshore and the swell settles to 4.6ft from the north, period up to 8 seconds, and the wave energy is moderate (224). It’s the cleanest window we’ve got – a solid option for a quick session. After that, it’s a long dry spell. From Sunday the 30th right through to Saturday the 5th of September, the swell barely scrapes 3ft, and the wind is mostly offshore or cross-off, but those tiny waves mean poor conditions. The energy drops to double digits or even single digits (as low as 8 on Sunday the 6th).
Things pick up on Wednesday the 9th of September – a 8.2ft north swell rolls in, but with fresh cross-onshore wind and rain, it’s messy and choppy. The energy is strong (771–902), but this is kite-surfing territory, not for paddling. The period is short at 7–8 seconds, so it’s not well-formed. Then we fade back into small, clean but flat conditions for the rest of the outlook.
Honestly, if you’re keen, that Saturday afternoon (29th August) is your best bet. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat morning, strong winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Mon night, light winds from the WSW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 170 | 261 | 221 | 316 | 113 | 86 | 101 | 70 | 59 | 41 | 29 | 30 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 10 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:39AM2.43m | 8:01PM2.56m | 8:21AM2.50m | 8:42PM2.60m | 9:03AM2.54m | 9:24PM2.61m | 9:46AM2.55m | 10:07PM2.59m | 10:30AM2.54m | 10:53PM2.55m | 11:17AM2.51m | 11:41PM2.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:43AM0.73m | 1:59PM0.63m | 2:24AM0.64m | 2:38PM0.58m | 3:04AM0.58m | 3:18PM0.56m | 3:46AM0.54m | 3:59PM0.58m | 4:29AM0.53m | 4:44PM0.63m | 5:15AM0.55m | 5:36PM0.69m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  | | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | 4 | 9 | 28 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 14 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | — | 4 | 221 | 316 | 113 | 86 | 101 | 70 | 59 | 41 | 29 | 30 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 10 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | — | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | — | N 8 | NE 9 | — | NE 10 | — | NNW 5 | N 7 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 |
| kJ | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 5 | 3 | — | 25 | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | — | N 12 | N 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | N 7 | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | NW 4 | NNW 3 |
| kJ | 170 | 261 | — | 104 | 56 | 35 | 35 | 24 | 18 | 28 | 40 | 24 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 27 | 7 | 0 | 80 | 112 | 98 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 78 | 78 | 183 | 202 | 336 | 336 | 359 | 183 |
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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