Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, ESE swell with 1,145 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tawharanui this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Tawharanui in the next 16 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Tawharanui. Gotta be straight with you – it’s a pretty grim run for the next week and a half. The first surf worth mentioning doesn't even show up until Friday, August 14th, with a big gap of nothing but poor conditions before that. From the 2nd right through the 13th, it’s basically a write-off: messy winds, tiny swell, or rain and strong cross-onshore slop. The ocean is just not playing ball.
Let’s talk about the only real hope on the horizon. From Friday, August 14th, things start to look up. Friday morning at Tawharanui, we’ve got a clean 3ft swell from the ENE with a decent 11-second period, and a light SSE cross-off breeze. The combined swell energy is moderate at 387. It’s a quiet, clean session for a beginner-friendly spot. Friday afternoon gets even better – the wind goes glassy, dropping to 3 mph from the E. Swell bumps up to 6ft from the NNE, though the period is short at 6 seconds. The energy is moderate at 406. That afternoon glass-off is a real treat for a spot that’s often crowded, so expect some company.
Then we get a standout for the more experienced crew. Saturday, August 15th, in the afternoon – this is the pick of the whole forecast. The swell jumps to a solid 10ft from the NNE (8-second period), and the combined energy is strong at 1121. That’s big, powerful surf. The key here is the wind: a moderate 15 mph offshore from the SW. That’s going to groom those waves into clean, hollow walls. This is not for beginners; at 10ft, it’s expert territory, and that size will be proper heavy. The long period isn’t an issue here because a beach-and-reef setup like Tawharanui can handle it, but expect big lulls between sets.
The rest of the second week is a mixed bag. Sunday, August 16th, has a drop-off to 4ft from the N with a cross-off breeze, and Monday, August 17th, is just small and ordinary at 3ft with very weak energy (80). The Saturday afternoon is the real window – it’s the one to circle on the calendar, but being a week and a half out, treat it as promising but not locked in.
Water temps are about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
For the first break mentioned, Tawharanui is a fairly consistent spot, so when it’s flat, it stings a bit. But when it’s on, like that Saturday afternoon, it’s magic.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Sat night, light winds from the WSW by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu night, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 5 | E 7 | E 6 | NNE 14 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 15 | NE 12 | NE 13 | N 13 | E 4 | E 4 | NE 3 | NE 18 | NNE 4 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 83 | 57 | 18 | 18 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 5 | 12 | 21 | 72 | 159 | 250 | 211 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:09PM2.55m | 9:27AM2.44m | 9:49PM2.55m | 10:09AM2.45m | 10:31PM2.54m | 10:52AM2.44m | 11:14PM2.51m | 11:36AM2.42m | 11:59PM2.47m | 12:24PM2.39m | 00:49AM2.42m | 1:18PM2.36m | 1:45AM2.38m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:33AM0.67m | 3:42PM0.62m | 4:13AM0.64m | 4:21PM0.64m | 4:55AM0.63m | 5:04PM0.69m | 5:39AM0.64m | 5:53PM0.75m | 6:28AM0.65m | 6:50PM0.80m | 7:21AM0.65m | 7:52PM0.83m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | |  |  |  | |
 | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 5 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | E 7 | E 6 | NE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | ESE 5 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 6 | E 6 | N 14 | N 7 |
| kJ | 2 | 57 | 18 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 211 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 15 | NE 15 | NE 14 | E 6 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 8 | E 8 | N 12 | N 12 | NE 11 | NE 18 | E 6 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 16 | NE 15 |
| kJ | 9 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | N 6 | E 9 | NNE 14 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 15 | — | — | N 13 | — | E 8 | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | NE 16 | NE 16 | E 14 | N 13 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 8 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | S 3 | S 4 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 3 | E 4 | E 4 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NNE 4 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | — |
| kJ | 83 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 29 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 3 | 7 | 21 | 72 | 159 | 250 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 64 | 1 | 44 | 22 | 66 | 107 | 107 | 48 | 183 | 115 | 64 | 72 | 64 | 64 | 102 | 7 | 64 | 22 | 53 |
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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