
Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, NNW swell with 531 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s 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 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this outlook for Tawharanui is a tough one to write. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but the pickings are slim. The first recommendation doesn't even show up until almost two full weeks from now.
The pattern is basically flat and poor for days on end. A lot of tiny, weak swell with minimal energy. Scores of low or no wave energy get thrown around, and the wind often messes things up even when there is a bump. The water temp at Tawharanui sits around 58°F, which is about average for this time of year – nothing unusual there.
From Friday the 4th right through to Thursday the 17th of September, it’s a real struggle. Swell heights barely nudge above 3ft most days, often sitting at pathetic 0.7ft. The combined energy readings are all in the double-digit weak zone – numbers like 51, 43, 18 – just no grunt. On Monday the 7th, we get a pulse of 6ft from the north, but with a short period of 6 seconds, strong cross-onshore wind at 19 mph, and lumpy conditions, it’s a write-off. The energy there hits 238 (moderate) but it’s all for nothing. Tuesday the 8th cleans up a bit with cleaner cross-off winds and some waist-high north swell (3ft, 8 seconds, energy 127 – moderate), but the quality is still rated as poor.
The only real standout, and I mean the only one worth getting excited about, shows up on Friday the 18th of September. That morning we see a solid 10ft north swell rolling in with an 8-second period. The combined energy is 1053 – that’s strong, powerful swell. The wind is cross-off from the WNW at 16 mph, so the faces should be clean. This is big, experienced surfer territory – over 8ft, so it’s not for beginners. The break itself (Tawharanui) is a beach and reef setup, and this size north swell will draw right into the exposed spots. Keep an eye on it, but remember this is a long-range call – promising but less certain. Saturday the 19th still has some solid leftover swell (7ft, optimal offshore winds from the WSW at 22-25 mph), but the clean conditions are accompanied by strong winds which will make paddling a mission.
So, what you’ve got is a long dry spell from now until about the 17th, then a brief, powerful window right at the end. If you’re in the water before then, you’re chasing tiny, short-period lumps in often messy wind. It’s not the best run for Tawharanui, but that 18th could fire for those ready for some proper size.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 6 | N 7 | ENE 10 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NW 3 | NNW 4 | N 5 | NNW 7 | N 7 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NNE 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
31 | 33 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 55 | 461 | 215 | 295 | 114 | 80 | 37 | 14 | 12 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 17 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 00:34AM2.43m | 1:04PM2.42m | 1:32AM2.37m | 2:09PM2.39m | 2:37AM2.34m | 3:21PM2.41m | 3:47AM2.37m | 4:28PM2.49m | 4:54AM2.43m | 5:26PM2.59m | 5:53AM2.53m | 6:18PM2.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:35PM0.76m | 7:00AM0.62m | 7:39PM0.80m | 8:01AM0.66m | 8:45PM0.81m | 9:06AM0.68m | 9:51PM0.78m | 10:15AM0.65m | 10:56PM0.71m | 11:19AM0.59m | 11:55PM0.62m | 12:17PM0.51m | 00:47AM0.53m | |||||||
— | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | N 7 | NNW 6 | N 5 | ENE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | N 7 | E 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNW 6 |
10 | 33 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 215 | 2 | 114 | 80 | 37 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 11 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | NE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 11 | N 5 | N 9 | N 9 | — | — | NE 9 | — | N 16 | NE 16 | NE 17 | NNE 6 | ENE 8 | NE 16 | ENE 9 | NE 14 | ENE 8 |
2 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | 5 | 11 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 32 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 16 | E 8 | — | NE 15 | NE 15 | NE 14 | NE 14 | — | NNE 13 |
— | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | — | 9 | 9 | 30 | 30 | — | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | SW 3 | SW 2 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 4 | N 5 | NNW 7 | — | NNW 8 | W 4 | W 4 | WSW 3 | SSE 2 | — | — | WSW 3 | WNW 4 | WSW 4 |
31 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 55 | 461 | — | 295 | 21 | 21 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 15 | 50 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 359 | 359 | 78 | 202 | 202 | 370 | 256 | 371 | 102 | 378 | 296 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 60 | 22 | 66 | 22 | 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.










