Surf Forecasts:
Tawharanui surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 6s period, SE swell with 298 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. 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 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tawharanui over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. To be straight with you, the next week and a half is pretty flat at Tawharanui. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak waves from Sunday, August 16, right through to late on Monday, August 24. Swell heights are mostly below 2 ft, with periods short and combined energy in the doldrums – mostly double-digit lows (50, 34, 105, 127, 39…). Winds are often offshore or cross-offshore, which keeps the surface clean, but there’s just no push to ride. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real flicker of life shows up on Tuesday, August 25. The morning brings a 6 ft swell from the north, with a period of 9 seconds and combined energy jumping to 686 (moderate-strong). Winds are a cross-offshore southerly at 12 mph, so it’ll be clean. That’s a solid, punchy wave for experienced surfers, though at 6 ft it’s not beginner-friendly. The afternoon cleans up even more: swell drops to 4 ft, wind turns SSE at 9 mph, still cross-off, and the energy is 268. Expect good surf conditions then. This is your standout window – the best on offer by a mile.
After that, it fades fast. Wednesday, August 26, sees the swell drop back to 2 ft with onshore winds, and then from Thursday onward it’s back to tiny, choppy leftovers. The wind cranks up out of the north and northeast, making a mess. By the end of the month and into August 31, there’s a long-period swell (21–23 seconds) but it’s only 0.3 ft high – no energy to speak of, just a ripple. For this spot, a beach-and-reef setup, that long period with no size means nothing to ride.
So, if you’re keen, pencil in Tuesday, August 25. It’s not epic, but it’s the only real surf in the whole 16-day window. The rest of the time, you’re better off checking the forecast again.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 8°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 5 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 12 | E 9 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 6 | E 8 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 96 | 50 | 31 | 87 | 105 | 127 | 33 | 37 | 23 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:04PM2.80m | 9:32AM2.69m | 9:50PM2.75m | 10:19AM2.64m | 10:35PM2.67m | 11:04AM2.57m | 11:18PM2.56m | 11:48AM2.47m | 00:02AM2.44m | 12:32PM2.36m | 00:47AM2.32m | 1:20PM2.25m | 1:35AM2.21m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:32AM0.40m | 3:45PM0.39m | 4:15AM0.43m | 4:28PM0.49m | 4:58AM0.50m | 5:14PM0.61m | 5:42AM0.59m | 6:02PM0.73m | 6:26AM0.70m | 6:53PM0.84m | 7:13AM0.81m | 7:47PM0.93m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:51 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 96 | 50 | 31 | 6 | 105 | 127 | 33 | 37 | 23 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 4 | ENE 9 | — | — | E 10 | N 11 | NE 10 | N 10 | N 10 | E 12 | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | E 10 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 8 | — | — | 18 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 9 | N 12 | — | — | NE 11 | — | — | N 10 | E 13 | N 10 | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SW 4 | W 3 | SE 5 | S 5 | S 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 3 | S 4 | — | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 23 | 21 | 6 | 87 | 73 | 33 | 29 | 22 | 10 | 22 | 14 | 6 | 10 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 22 | 22 | 157 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 66 | 60 | 64 | 60 | 59 | 60 | 67 | 279 | 64 |
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.
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