Surf Forecasts:
Taylors Mistake surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, ENE swell with 78 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with E 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) 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 1.2m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 9th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Taylors Mistake over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Taylors Mistake over the next couple of weeks.
Well, I gotta be straight with you – the first week and a half is a write-off. We're looking at a long, frustrating gap with no real surf to speak of. From Thursday the 3rd right through to the 13th of September, it's just tiny, weak dribble. The swell energy is almost non-existent – we're talking numbers like 5 (the combined energy of all swells directed here) and 40 – a real flat spell. The winds are all over the shop, mostly cross-off or cross, but with nothing to work with, it doesn't matter. It's a classic case of "poor surf conditions" day after day.
There is a brief moment on the 8th, Tuesday morning, when it goes glassy, but the swell is only 2ft from the east – it's just not enough.
Then, finally, we get a spark of life. The real story starts on Monday the 14th of September. I'm talking about the morning session. That's the standout. The combined energy of all swells directed here jumps to 1045, which is a serious injection of power. We're looking at a solid 5ft swell from the SSE, with a very long period of 17 seconds. That's proper groundswell energy. The wind is light and offshore from the WSW, so conditions should be clean. For a beach break like Taylors, a period that long can make the waves a bit too straight and fat, but with a good offshore wind and that size, it’s your best bet by a long shot. Just be aware that water temperature has been a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but it's not a major factor.
The Monday afternoon (14th) is a decent backup, with a 3ft swell from the SE and a 14-second period, but the wind swings cross-off, so the morning is the clear winner. The energy drops back to 439 there.
After that, the wind gets tricky again. Tuesday the 15th morning has glassy conditions, but the swell is down to 2ft. The rest of the week is a mix of onshore winds and very ordinary conditions, so don't expect much.
So, to sum it up: you wait a long time, but that Monday morning, the 14th of September, is the only real highlight. Get out there for it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Fri afternoon, calm by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 9 | SE 11 | N 4 | E 7 | N 3 | NNE 4 | SSE 17 | NE 9 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | NNE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 20 | 35 | 37 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 30 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 24 | 27 | 73 | 33 | 78 | 28 |
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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 9:30PM2.23m | 9:53AM2.35m | 10:26PM2.23m | 10:49AM2.37m | 11:21PM2.24m | 11:47AM2.38m | 00:16AM2.25m | 12:43PM2.38m | 1:11AM2.28m | 1:38PM2.39m | 2:05AM2.30m | 2:31PM2.40m | 2:57AM2.31m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:36AM0.52m | 4:09PM0.57m | 4:34AM0.50m | 5:11PM0.53m | 5:31AM0.45m | 6:09PM0.47m | 6:25AM0.40m | 7:03PM0.41m | 7:19AM0.35m | 7:54PM0.36m | 8:14AM0.31m | 8:45PM0.33m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | NE 5 | NE 9 | NE 6 | SE 10 | E 7 | S 18 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NE 9 | NE 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 |
| kJ | 4 | 35 | 37 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 19 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 24 | 27 | 73 | 33 | 78 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 11 | E 10 | S 15 | NE 8 | S 18 | NE 8 | S 16 | E 10 | S 14 | S 11 | S 8 | S 8 | S 21 | SE 7 | S 15 | S 13 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | S 15 | S 9 | S 9 | E 11 | — | — | S 15 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 7 | — | E 16 | S 12 | S 7 | E 15 |
| kJ | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 40 | 2 | 2 | 9 | — | 5 | 12 | 1 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NNW 3 | NW 4 | NW 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 | N 3 | — | SSE 17 | SE 4 | ESE 5 | E 5 | E 5 | — | — | S 9 | NE 3 | NNE 5 | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 20 | 13 | 37 | 8 | 6 | 18 | 8 | — | 30 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 14 | — | — | 103 | 6 | 37 | 28 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 162 | 162 | 22 | 31 | 133 | 31 | 31 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 31 | 31 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 31 | 31 | 8 |
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.
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