
Surf Forecasts:
Taylors Mistake surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, ENE swell with 394 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period with ESE 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. 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 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Taylors Mistake over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a slow start. The first few days are pretty much a write-off for a proper paddle. We’ve got a few small waves around, but the wind and conditions just aren’t playin’ ball. Friday morning the 7th is tiny at 1ft from the ESE, but with a cross-on breeze and only 130 combined energy, it’s not worth wettin’ a suit. Friday afternoon and Saturday are the same story – small, messy, or glassy but with no real push.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday the 9th. We’ve got a 5ft NE swell rollin’ in with a period of 8 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the W. That’s a clean combo for Taylors Mistake. The combined energy is at 325 (moderate), so there’s some grunt there. But keep in mind, that 8-second period is a bit short, so the waves will be a little dumpy and close together. Still, for a beginner-friendly spot, Sunday morning is your best bet in this stretch. The water temp is sittin’ at 49°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so nothin’ wild there.
Monday the 10th drops right off – tiny swell and stronger cross-off winds, so don’t get your hopes up. Tuesday the 11th is a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds and choppy conditions.
Then we get a weird one. Wednesday the 12th morning sees a jump to 6ft from the NE, but the period is a short 7 seconds and the wind is light cross-onshore. The combined energy is a solid 479 (moderate), but the wind and short period will make it a bit of a mess. Honestly, that setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. Afternoon drops off again.
The rest of the week is flat or tiny, with glassy conditions but no swell to speak of. Thursday the 13th through Saturday the 15th have some small, clean waves, but we’re talkin’ 2ft to 3ft. The combined energy is low, mostly in the double digits. Not worth a special trip.
Sunday the 16th is blown out by strong SW winds. The 17th and 18th have tiny, clean waves but nothing with any punch.
Now, here’s where it gets a little interesting if you’re lookin’ way ahead. Saturday the 22nd, we’ve got a 4ft swell from the ENE comin’ in. The period is a short 6 to 7 seconds, so again, a bit of a short-period windswell, but the wind is offshore or light cross-off, and the combined energy is 143 to 168 (moderate). It’s not a standout by any means, but it’s the best-looking surf in the second week. It’s clean, and Taylors can handle that size for a beginner. Just keep in mind it’s two weeks out, so treat that with a grain of salt.
Overall, the standout window is Sunday the 9th morning for the biggest, cleanest waves of the whole outlook. After that, it’s a lot of waiting. Saturday the 22nd is a promisin’ distant cousin, but not a sure thing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sat morning, min 5°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 6 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
57 | 89 | 49 | 27 | 15 | 35 | 274 | 84 | 22 | 13 | 36 | 56 | 57 | 44 | 147 | 330 | 89 | 40 | 24 | 23 | 255 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 11:05AM2.30m | 11:35PM2.22m | 12:02PM2.36m | 00:31AM2.25m | 1:00PM2.42m | 1:29AM2.29m | 1:56PM2.47m | 2:26AM2.34m | 2:51PM2.51m | 3:21AM2.39m | 3:46PM2.53m | 4:13AM2.40m | 4:40PM2.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:22PM0.59m | 5:48AM0.48m | 6:24PM0.53m | 6:42AM0.42m | 7:21PM0.45m | 7:36AM0.36m | 8:15PM0.36m | 8:33AM0.29m | 9:09PM0.29m | 9:31AM0.23m | 10:03PM0.26m | 10:27AM0.18m | 10:59PM0.26m | ||||||||
7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 13 |
57 | 89 | 49 | 27 | 15 | 35 | 26 | 84 | 22 | 8 | 36 | 43 | 32 | 28 | 9 | 108 | 89 | 40 | 24 | 4 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 6 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 14 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 7 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 14 | E 14 | SSE 8 |
23 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 56 | 34 | 44 | 5 | 26 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | SE 16 | SE 15 | ESE 10 | E 14 | — | SE 10 | SE 12 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 7 | E 8 | SE 11 | S 18 | S 16 | SE 10 | E 14 | E 14 | — | SE 9 | S 18 |
49 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 4 | — | 15 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 57 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 8 | WSW 2 | — | WSW 3 | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | N 3 | N 3 | NNW 3 | ENE 6 | NE 8 |
1 | — | — | — | — | — | 274 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 5 | 40 | 147 | 330 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 23 | 255 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 31 | 0 | 4 | 32 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 22 | 31 | 22 | 22 | 31 | 0 |
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.











