
Surf Forecasts:
Taylors Mistake surf forecast from 7 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, NE swell with 734 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 8 Aug, 6AM (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 Saturday (Aug 08) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 2.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Taylors Mistake over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate. Rusty here, let’s break down what Taylors Mistake is giving us.
The first few days are a total dud. Nothing worth wetting a wetsuit for until Sunday morning. That morning shows a 2.2m NE swell, but it’s only 7 seconds apart, so it’s weak and won’t hold together. The wind is cross-offshore, making it clean enough, but it’s not a standout – just a start.
Monday and Tuesday are tiny and choppy. Wave energy is in the low double digits (39 to 64), and the wind is onshore or cross-onshore. Flat and frustrating.
Wednesday the 12th sees a 1.7m ENE swell with a short 7-second period (energy 391), but cross-onshore winds make it a messy, choppy mess.
Thursday the 13th morning has the biggest swell of the run – 1.8m from the NE, energy at 562 – but again, cross-onshore wind ruins the surface.
The one true standout is Saturday the 15th morning. The wind goes glassy, dead calm at only 3 mph. The swell is a clean 1.0m from the east with a 10-second period, energy at 366. Glassy conditions, nice little waves, and it’s a beginner-friendly spot. This is the session to aim for.
After that, it’s small but clean. Sunday the 16th through Tuesday the 18th have offshore or glassy winds, but the waves are knee-high at best. Nice for a paddle but not for a proper surf.
Later, around Thursday the 20th, we get another pulse – 1.2m from the SSE with a 12-second period, energy at 405 – but the wind is cross-offshore, and conditions are marked as marginal. Keep an eye on it.
Taylors does get crowded sometimes, so if you hit Saturday morning, get there early. Water temp is about average for this time of year.
Stay stoked, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
49 | 27 | 15 | 15 | 516 | 37 | 14 | 21 | 32 | 57 | 35 | 12 | 68 | 294 | 163 | 734 | 418 | 107 | 146 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 5:48AM0.48m | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ENE 7 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ESE 14 | ENE 8 |
49 | 27 | 15 | 15 | 161 | 37 | 13 | 21 | 32 | 23 | 18 | 12 | 4 | 93 | 4 | 181 | 125 | 18 | 146 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 13 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 14 | S 17 | E 13 |
12 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 4 | 31 | 57 | 35 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 19 | 6 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ESE 10 | E 14 | S 17 | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 14 | E 13 | E 6 | E 6 | S 13 | S 18 | S 16 | SSW 15 | S 15 | ESE 14 | S 16 | S 17 | — |
3 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 4 | 20 | 21 | 22 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 5 | NE 7 | — | — | WSW 2 | SW 3 | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | — |
— | — | — | 6 | 516 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 6 | 68 | 294 | 163 | 734 | 418 | 107 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 4 | 32 | 31 | 0 | 4 | 31 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 13 | 31 | 31 | 22 |
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.











