Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, E swell with 166 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Tawharanui. This is a beach and reef setup that’s pretty exposed, and it’s usually fairly consistent for a beginner spot, but this 16-day window is a real struggle. The swell is tiny for most of it, and the direction is mostly east or north – not the NE that really gets it going. You’re looking at a long dry spell up front. From July 19 right through to the morning of July 29, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. That’s a solid ten days of flat, messy, or just useless conditions.
Then on the afternoon of July 29, we finally get a little pulse. It’s a 3ft swell from the NNW, period only 5 seconds – that’s short-period windswell, so it’s not going to have much push. But the wind is calm, glassy, and the whole thing is clean. The combined energy is only 47 (weak), so you’re not going to get any power, but for a beginner spot with no crowds that day (it’s often crowded, but midweek glassy might keep people away), it’s the best you’ll see in a while. Still, very ordinary stuff.
After that, it goes back to flat and poor again until the morning of August 3. That morning we get a 2ft swell from the north, period 8 seconds, with a moderate offshore breeze from the SW at 15 mph. The combined energy is 73 – still weak, but the offshore wind keeps it clean. The swell is small, so it’s really only for the longboard or a foamie. Since Tawharanui is a beginner spot, it’s not totally useless, but don’t expect anything exciting.
Bottom line: nothing really stands out here. The best two windows are the afternoon of July 29 and the morning of August 3, both with tiny, weak swell. If you’re desperate for a paddle, those are the moments. Otherwise, it’s a long wait.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Mon night, calm by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 4 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | N 8 | N 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 36 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 36 | 100 | 35 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 74 | 74 | 32 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | off |
High Tide | 10:19PM2.77m | 10:46AM2.62m | 11:07PM2.71m | 11:34AM2.56m | 11:53PM2.61m | 12:22PM2.48m | 00:40AM2.50m | 1:11PM2.38m | 1:27AM2.39m | 2:02PM2.28m | 2:18AM2.28m | 3:01PM2.21m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:46AM0.43m | 4:58PM0.44m | 5:34AM0.49m | 5:46PM0.58m | 6:21AM0.57m | 6:38PM0.71m | 7:09AM0.67m | 7:32PM0.82m | 7:57AM0.76m | 8:27PM0.90m | 8:46AM0.85m | 9:21PM0.96m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 2 |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | N 8 | E 11 | E 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | N 8 | N 6 | N 7 | NE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | N 6 |
| kJ | 36 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 35 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 32 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 6 | N 8 | E 11 | E 11 | N 7 | N 8 | — | E 10 | N 8 | E 7 | E 11 | E 10 | E 7 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 6 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 | N 7 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | — | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | — | E 9 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | — | E 4 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | NNW 2 | N 5 | N 6 | W 3 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | 36 | 100 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 74 | 74 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 60 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 13 | 22 | 66 | 202 | 161 | 64 | 279 | 67 | 161 | 359 | 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.
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