Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, N swell with 390 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s 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 (Jul 26) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. 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 (Jul 24) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ at Tawharanui. Gotta be straight with you – the next week and a half is a tough slog. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with barely a ripple, so don’t bother waxing up just yet.
We’ve got a real lull from Tuesday the 21st of July all the way through to Thursday the 30th of July. Most days we’re seeing tiny dribbles of swell around 0.7 ft to 2 ft, with short-period windswell that just doesn’t have the guts. The combined energy stays weak, usually well under 100 (36 and lower), so it’s really just flat. Winds are messy too, with a lot of cross-onshore and fresh breezes, especially around Friday the 24th when it gets lumpy and choppy. Not worth your time.
Now, the real story – and the only reason to get excited – is the last day of July and the first day of August. This is where it gets interesting.
On Friday the 31st of July, we finally see a pulse of proper swell. Morning starts with some clouds, but it clears up fast. The wind goes light and cross-off from the SSE at 10 km/h, so the surface will be glassy and clean. Swell jumps to 8 ft from the NNW with a period of 8 seconds – that’s a solid, powerful wave for the beach-and-reef setup here. The combined energy hits 704, which is strong and means there’s a ton of grunt in the water. This is a big swell, over 8 ft, so this is expert territory only. If you’re not comfortable in heavy waves, sit this one out. This is the standout of the whole forecast.
Saturday the 1st of August keeps the magic rolling. Clear skies, offshore wind from the SW at 10-15 km/h, and the swell holds at 7 ft to 8 ft from the NNW. The energy is still very strong at 519 to 731. It’s going to be a beautiful, clean, powerful day. Again, this is for experienced surfers only.
After that, the swell drops off fast into Sunday and Monday, and we’re back to small, weak conditions.
Water temp at Tawharanui is sitting at 58°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
So, to sum it up: the first nine days are a total write-off. Don’t bother. But if you’re an expert, circle Friday the 31st of July and Saturday the 1st of August. That’s the window. It’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it, but it looks promising.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Sun morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | N 7 | N 8 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 12 | E 13 | E 13 | E 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 33 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 54 | 262 | 77 | 41 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 48 | 83 | 55 | 103 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 00:40AM2.50m | 1:11PM2.38m | 1:27AM2.39m | 2:02PM2.28m | 2:18AM2.28m | 3:01PM2.21m | 3:13AM2.20m | 4:03PM2.19m | 4:11AM2.15m | 5:00PM2.21m | 5:06AM2.15m | 5:49PM2.26m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:38PM0.71m | 7:09AM0.67m | 7:32PM0.82m | 7:57AM0.76m | 8:27PM0.90m | 8:46AM0.85m | 9:21PM0.96m | 9:37AM0.92m | 10:15PM0.98m | 10:30AM0.95m | 11:09PM0.99m | 11:24AM0.94m | 00:00AM0.96m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  | | |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — |
 | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 10 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 7 | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | — | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 10 | NNW 7 | N 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 12 | E 13 | E 13 | E 14 |
| kJ | 33 | 9 | 5 | 2 | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 29 | 77 | 29 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 48 | 83 | 55 | 103 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | E 11 | NE 14 | E 12 | E 11 | NNW 7 | — | N 3 | NNW 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | N 11 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 43 | 41 | 5 | — | 2 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 6 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | — | — | — | E 17 | N 7 | N 7 | — | N 6 | N 6 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 6 | 4 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 3 | S 3 | — | SSW 3 | SW 2 | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | W 5 | SW 5 | SW 5 | NNW 3 | — | SSE 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | 7 | 54 | 262 | 72 | 108 | 47 | 3 | — | 18 | 50 | 15 | 81 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 33 | 22 | 66 | 122 | 161 | 103 | 202 | 337 | 66 | 359 | 61 | 22 | 132 | 22 | 27 | 22 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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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