Surf Forecasts:
Taylors Mistake surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SSE swell with 261 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period with SE 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 17s. 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 0.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) 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 3.0m 10s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Taylors Mistake over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get into it. Rusty here.
First up, we're looking at Taylors Mistake and I gotta be straight with you—this 16-day window is a real struggle. There's a big, dry gap right at the start with nothing worth paddling out for. The first few days from Sunday the 30th through to the end of the first week are mostly flat or tiny, with poor surf conditions. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about.
It's not until Wednesday morning, September 2nd that we finally see a pulse of energy. The swell lifts to 2ft from the SSE with a very long period of 17 seconds, and the combined energy hits 261 (moderate wave energy). The wind is glassy, coming from the NNE at 5 km/h, so it'll be clean. This is a long-period groundswell, which will wrap in nicely here at this fairly exposed spot. The break is fairly consistent and works best with an ENE swell direction, so this SSE swell is a bit off-angle, but the size and quality of the swell should still produce some fun, clean waves. The crowd factor is "sometimes," so expect a few others out.
Thursday morning, September 3rd, the wind turns cross-on from the NE at 15 km/h, and the swell drops to 2ft with a short period of 8 seconds. The energy is weak at 47. It's a downgrade.
Friday morning, September 4th, is another no-go with tiny 2ft swell and a period of just 5 seconds. The afternoon goes offshore but the swell is practically non-existent at 0.3ft.
The next real standout is Wednesday morning, September 10th. We get a tiny 2ft swell from the ENE with a 7-second period, but the wind is glassy offshore from the W at 5 km/h. The combined energy is only 30, so it's weak, but it will be clean and surfable for beginners. This is a long-range call, so less certain.
The best of the bunch, the one true standout, is Monday morning, September 14th. The swell is a tiny 0.7ft from the SSE, but the period is a massive 18 seconds, and the combined energy sits at 56. The wind is glassy offshore from the WNW at 5 km/h. The waves will be small, but with that long period and clean conditions, it could be a sneaky good session for a log or a mid-length. Again, this is a long way out, so keep an eye on the charts.
Overall, this is a pretty bleak run. For a spot that's fairly consistent, it's a real bummer. The only real highlights are those two glassy mornings with the long-period swell. Keep the board waxed and hope the forecasts change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 4°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed night, calm by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 11 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | NNE 5 | NE 8 | SSE 10 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | ENE 6 | E 10 | N 4 | SSE 14 | NNE 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 6 | 32 | 28 | 5 | 147 | 81 | 136 | 74 | 255 | 137 | 37 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 36 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 18 | 27 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:58PM2.26m | 6:27AM2.20m | 6:45PM2.26m | 7:16AM2.24m | 7:37PM2.25m | 8:07AM2.29m | 8:33PM2.24m | 8:59AM2.32m | 9:30PM2.23m | 9:53AM2.35m | 10:26PM2.23m | 10:49AM2.37m | 11:21PM2.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:48AM0.47m | 00:17AM0.49m | 12:32PM0.47m | 1:01AM0.48m | 1:19PM0.49m | 1:48AM0.50m | 2:11PM0.53m | 2:39AM0.51m | 3:09PM0.56m | 3:36AM0.52m | 4:09PM0.57m | 4:34AM0.50m | 5:11PM0.53m | ||||||||
7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 11 | SSE 12 | NE 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | NE 8 | SSE 10 | NE 5 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | N 4 | SSE 14 | S 17 |
5 | 5 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 147 | 81 | 136 | 61 | 255 | 137 | 32 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 18 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | SE 12 | SSE 17 | NNW 3 | SE 11 | NE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | SE 17 | E 11 | E 11 | E 12 | SSE 11 | E 11 | SSE 9 | SE 11 | NE 8 | S 9 | E 10 | E 8 | NE 10 |
1 | 6 | 29 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 74 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | S 16 | ENE 8 | SSE 15 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | SE 12 | E 11 | NE 9 | E 12 | E 9 | SE 9 | E 10 | — | E 10 | E 11 |
6 | 5 | 6 | 23 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 3 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | S 12 | WSW 3 | SW 2 | — | N 3 | NNE 4 | NNW 3 | NNE 5 | — | NE 2 | NW 3 | NNE 5 | NW 4 | NW 3 | S 8 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 |
— | 2 | 1849 | 1689 | 148 | 3 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 11 | 37 | — | 2 | 2 | 36 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 27 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 36 | 0 | 4 | 162 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 22 | 35 | 31 | 8 | 22 | 31 | 22 | 33 | 31 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











