
Surf Forecasts:
Taylors Mistake surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 16s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSE swell with 291 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 16s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Taylors Mistake this week:
The surf forecast for Taylors Mistake over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Taylors Mistake in the next 16 days are 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) 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 4.0m 15s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 1ft (0.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 1ft (0.3m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Taylors Mistake over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me have a look at what's on the cards for Taylors Mistake over the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it's a bit of a slow start out there. We're looking at a long wait before anything really gets going.
The first block of days, from now right through to the 25th, is pretty quiet. You'll see small, weak swell in the water, mostly under 2ft, with poor conditions and next to no energy to speak of. There are pockets of clean, glassy conditions, like Monday the 14th in the morning with a light WNW glass, or Tuesday the 15th in the afternoon, but the swell is just too small to be worth a paddle. It's a bit of a dry spell, you know? You might see a tiny bump on Saturday the 12th with a 2ft SSE swell, but the wind is messy, and it’s just not doing anything for me.
We've got a real gap here with no genuine standouts until the end of the forecast. But hold onto your board, because it looks like things flip around the 26th of September.
Saturday the 26th is our one true standout, and it's the one to lock in your schedule for. The morning starts off with a clean and offshore W wind at 9 mph, blowing right into the bay. We’ve got a 4ft groundswell from the SE with a long 15-second period. That's proper swell. The energy is strong, and the Offshore wind direction (W) matches the ENE optimum nicely. It's in the solid beginner-to-intermediate range, so fun for most, but the long period will mean longer lulls between sets. The afternoon on the 26th gets even better. The swell pushes up to 4ft from the SE, a slight cross-off wind from the SW, and the energy jumps to a very strong level. It'll be clean, well-shaped and the best on offer by a long shot.
For the rest of the time, it's mostly a waiting game. There are some marginal windows, like Thursday the 24th with glassy, weak conditions, but you're on a 1ft wave with no energy behind it. Stick with the 26th. Crowds are sometimes a factor at Taylors Mistake, so get there early for the best of it. If that swell on the 26th was any bigger or onshore, this would be a kite surfing show, but this setup is pure surfing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSE 18 | E 8 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SE 13 | SSE 16 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | E 11 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | SE 4 | ENE 6 | E 14 | ENE 14 | E 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
32 | 5 | 52 | 201 | 291 | 147 | 42 | 97 | 61 | 30 | 25 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 19 | 37 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 38 | 16 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:15PM2.39m | 4:41AM2.32m | 5:07PM2.36m | 5:37AM2.32m | 6:00PM2.33m | 6:33AM2.32m | 6:53PM2.28m | 7:26AM2.33m | 7:46PM2.23m | 8:15AM2.32m | 8:38PM2.18m | 9:01AM2.28m | 9:27PM2.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:05AM0.28m | 10:32PM0.34m | 10:58AM0.30m | 11:26PM0.36m | 11:50AM0.36m | 00:17AM0.40m | 12:41PM0.45m | 1:05AM0.46m | 1:32PM0.55m | 1:52AM0.55m | 2:23PM0.64m | 2:39AM0.65m | 3:13PM0.71m | ||||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
Feels °C | 6 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | NE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SE 13 | E 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | NE 4 | SSE 9 | NE 3 | SE 8 | E 13 | NE 4 | E 4 | SE 4 | SE 4 | NE 5 |
5 | 2 | 7 | 201 | 291 | 147 | 42 | 3 | 61 | 30 | 25 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 11 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 18 | E 8 | SSE 16 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | NNE 4 | — | E 12 | S 16 | E 12 | SE 9 | E 11 | SE 9 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 9 | ENE 6 | E 14 | ESE 14 | E 14 |
32 | 5 | 52 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 1 | — | 3 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 20 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | S 18 | ENE 6 | E 7 | — | ENE 9 | SSE 17 | — | E 9 | E 12 | S 16 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 12 | NE 9 | NE 5 | S 16 | S 18 |
1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | 8 | 29 | — | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | — | — | SSW 15 | — | NNE 3 | — | SSE 16 | — | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | SE 4 | S 2 | — | ENE 14 | NNW 3 |
1 | — | — | 5684 | — | 3 | — | 97 | — | — | 1 | 6 | 3 | — | 19 | 37 | 9 | 2 | — | 38 | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 255 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 4 | 150 | 153 | 22 | 31 | 151 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Taylors Mistake Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Taylors Mistake provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Taylors Mistake can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Taylors Mistake 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 (Taylors Mistake) 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 Taylors Mistake 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Canterbury? If you are looking for accommodation near Taylors Mistake, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Canterbury, consider staying in Christchurch which is 10 km (6 miles) away.










