Tawharanui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got a close look at what’s coming for the Tawharanui stretch over the next 16 days. Let’s be straight up front: it’s a lean run for a while, but there’s a late burst of solid swell that could make it all worth it.

Right now, we’re stuck in a proper flat spell. From the 5th through to the 11th of August, it’s basically a write-off for any real surfing. We’re talking tiny, weak waves, mostly under 1 foot, with short periods and very low wave energy (12 to 14 on the combined scale). The winds are light and mostly glassy or cross-off, which is a shame because the swell just isn't there. Even when the swell tries to push up to 3 to 4 feet on the 9th and 10th, it’s coming from the north with a nasty cross-onshore breeze and a period of only 5 to 6 seconds. That’s messy, lumpy, and not worth paddling out for. The combined energy gets up to 104 and 714, but the quality is poor, and the wind is ruining any chance of a clean wave.

Then we hit the 12th of August. Wednesday morning and afternoon look like the first real glimmer of hope. The swell drops back a bit to 5 to 5 feet from the north, but the key here is the wind: it’s glassy. A 3 mph light air from the north, with the swell period around 7 seconds, means the surface will be clean. The combined energy is moderate (261 and 212), and the report says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the first window where you could actually get a few fun, clean waves, especially if you’re a beginner or intermediate surfer. The break itself is a beach and reef setup, so watch the rocks at low tide, but the glassy conditions will make it feel like a different spot.

The 13th and 14th of August are a step back. The swell is there, around 4 to 4 feet, but the wind shifts around and gets more cross or cross-on, making it choppy and ordinary. Not a total write-off, but not the standout.

Now, the real payoff looks like it’s setting up for the 19th and 20th of August. This is the standout window. On Wednesday the 19th, we’ve got a solid 7 feet swell from the east, with a period of 7 seconds, and the wind is light and cross-off from the south-southwest at 6 mph. Combined energy is a strong 383. That’s a proper winter swell, and the wind is clean. By Wednesday afternoon, it gets even better: glassy conditions with a 6 feet swell from the east-northeast. Thursday the 20th pushes up to 7 feet in the morning and 8 feet in the afternoon, with combined energy over 400 and 529. The morning is clean with a light cross-off wind, but the afternoon turns cross-on from the east-northeast, which will bring in a bit of chop. Still, for the morning sessions on the 19th and 20th, this is the best on offer. The swell is solid, the wind is clean, and the water temperature is around 58°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

One thing to keep in mind: Tawharanui is a beach and reef, and with a 6 to 8 feet swell, it’s getting into the territory where it’s more for experienced surfers. Beginners might find it a bit much, especially if the sets are solid. The swell direction is from the east and east-northeast, which matches the optimum direction for this break (NE), so it should wrap in nicely.

The last few days from the 15th to the 18th are small again, with 1 to 2 feet waves and clean winds, but not enough to get excited about.

So, the plan: suffer through the first week of flatness, grab a few glassy waves on the 12th, and then mark your calendar for the 19th and 20th of August. That’s the real deal.

Rusty.

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