Tawharanui Surf Break

Lat Long: 36.37° S 174.84° E

Tawharanui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 14 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Tawharanui sea temperature is
15.0°C
0.4° 

Tawharanui surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Tawharanui surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, NNW swell with 350 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tawharanui this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 3PM (Thu 17th Sep)6.5ft (2.0m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Right then, let's have a look at what we've got coming up for Tawharanui.

Honestly, it's a pretty bleak run for the next couple of weeks. There’s a big gap of nothing really worthwhile right at the start. From Monday the 14th right through until late on Saturday the 26th of September, it’s just tiny, weak dribble. We’re talking ankle-snappers with combined wave energy barely cracking double figures – mostly under 20 (19) – and no real push. The wind’s often offshore, which would be perfect if there was any swell to work with, but there isn’t.

The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

You’ve got to wait until the afternoon of Saturday the 26th for the first sign of life. That afternoon we see a bump to 4ft from the NNW, but with a short, weak 6-second period. The energy is still low at 89, and the comment is “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions”. It’s clean with a gentle offshore, so you might get a few, but it’s nothing to write home about.

Then on Tuesday the 29th of September, the afternoon shows a similar story: 3ft from the NNW, again short period at 5 seconds, energy at 81, and moderate offshore wind. It’s the same deal – surfable but ordinary.

The biggest bit of action is actually a dud. On Thursday the 17th of September, there’s a jump to 7ft from the NNW, but it’s getting smashed by a strong 22 mph cross-onshore wind from the N, making it a lumpy, blown-out mess. That one’s for the kites, not the paddle crew.

So, overall, there are no standouts here. It’s a long, flat run with a couple of very average, small days right at the tail end of the forecast. Keep the board in the car, but don’t get your hopes up.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Mainly near gales.

Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
NNE
12
0.2
NNE
12
0.2
NNE
12
0.2
NNE
12
0.2
NNE
12
0.1
NE
13
0.1
NE
13
0.1
NE
13
0.1
NE
12
1.4
NNW
5
2
NNW
7
0.8
N
7
0.4
N
6
0.3
NNE
7
0.1
E
13
0.1
NE
11
0.1
E
12
0.1
E
11
0.1
E
11
0.1
E
11
0.1
E
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
15
14
14
14
13
7
6
7
6
117
350
58
13
9
5
5
4
3
2
2
2
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
20
SW
15
SW
15
SW
15
SW
15
WSW
15
W
15
W
15
N
30
NNW
35
N
35
WSW
35
WNW
50
SW
40
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
30
WSW
30
WSW
35
SW
25
WSW
Wind State
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
High Tide
9:06AM2.67m
9:19PM2.66m
9:49AM2.62m
10:01PM2.57m
10:31AM2.54m
10:43PM2.46m
11:12AM2.44m
11:25PM2.36m
11:54AM2.33m
00:08AM2.26m
12:39PM2.23m
00:54AM2.17m
1:31PM2.15m
1:44AM2.10m
Low Tide
3:17PM0.47m
3:42AM0.46m
3:59PM0.54m
4:22AM0.52m
4:42PM0.64m
5:03AM0.61m
5:27PM0.74m
5:45AM0.71m
6:16PM0.84m
6:31AM0.81m
7:09PM0.93m
7:20AM0.90m
8:04PM0.99m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:15
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:09
6:10
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:15
 mm
6
1
Temp °C
15
15
12
14
15
12
14
15
14
16
14
11
13
13
13
16
15
15
17
16
12
Feels °C
13
11
9
11
12
9
11
11
11
9
7
-1
5
5
5
10
9
9
11
10
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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