
Surf Forecasts:
Taylors Mistake surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, E swell with 544 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 16s 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 Thursday (Jul 16) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Taylors Mistake in the next 16 days are 1.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Taylors Mistake over the next 16 days.
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Taylors Mistake are a mixed bag, and you’ll need to pick your moments. The first few days are a write-off, but there’s a nice little window of clean, glassy conditions shaping up for the weekend and into next week.
We start off with a bit of a dud. Monday the 13th is a no-go – messy cross-shore wind at 19 mph and a weak, short-period swell of 3 ft from the NNE. The water temp is sitting at 50°, which is about 1° warmer than usual – nothing crazy, just a touch on the mild side for this time of year. Tuesday and Wednesday are tiny and poor, with wind swingin' around and swell barely a ripple. You’d be better off doin' something else.
Thursday morning the 16th sees a faint pulse of long-period groundswell, 1 ft from the E at 16 seconds, but it’s weak and the wind is cross-off – surfable, but very ordinary. The energy is low, just 63 (combined energy), so don’t get excited.
Now, Friday the 17th – this is where it gets interesting. Early morning, clear skies, light offshore from the NW, and a clean 3 ft of east swell with a 16-second period. The combined energy jumps to 347 (moderate energy). That’s a proper groundswell, and with offshore wind, Taylors will have some long, peeling lines. This is a standout for the small-wave crew. The long period means it’ll be a bit fat and straight at the beach, but Taylors is a reefy point, so it should hold up well. Just be aware that this spot can get a crowd sometimes, so get in early.
Saturday the 18th morning is the real gem. Glassy conditions, 3 ft of east swell at 15 seconds, and a combined energy of 435 (moderate to strong). This is the best on offer in the whole outlook – clean, glassy, and proper groundswell. It’s not too big for anyone, but with that long period, the sets will have some punch. Perfect for a longboard or a funboard.
Sunday the 19th is still good, with a light offshore and 2 ft of east swell at 13 seconds, but the energy drops to 261. Still clean, but not as much juice. The following week (from Monday the 20th) fades into small, weak surf, mostly under 2 ft, with a mix of glassy mornings and onshore afternoons. The energy dips back into the double digits, so it’s pretty ordinary.
The second week sees a few small pulses – Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd have some 2-2 ft east-southeast swell with glassy mornings, but the period is shorter (10-12 seconds) and the energy is low. Friday the 24th is tiny and poor. The weekend of the 26th is weak, but then Monday the 27th shows a bit of promise: 3 ft of east swell at 13 seconds, glassy, with a combined energy of 340 (moderate). That’s a late standout, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it – long-range and promising, but not certain.
Overall, your best bet is Saturday the 18th morning – glassy, 3 ft of east groundswell, clean and fun. Friday the 17th morning is a close second. The rest is either too small, too windy, or just average.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mon 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 8 | ENE 6 | E 13 | NE 7 | NNE 4 | E 13 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | ESE 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | SSE 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
21 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 46 | 81 | 198 | 347 | 432 | 496 | 435 | 435 | 265 | 173 | 125 | 78 | 64 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | off | cross | off | cross-off | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 3:12PM2.58m | 3:43AM2.42m | 4:09PM2.63m | 4:38AM2.46m | 5:05PM2.63m | 5:33AM2.46m | 6:00PM2.60m | 6:29AM2.43m | 6:54PM2.53m | 7:25AM2.39m | 7:50PM2.45m | 8:22AM2.35m | 8:46PM2.36m | 9:16AM2.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:32PM0.32m | 9:51AM0.25m | 10:29PM0.26m | 10:50AM0.19m | 11:25PM0.22m | 11:46AM0.15m | 00:21AM0.23m | 12:39PM0.15m | 1:14AM0.26m | 1:32PM0.22m | 2:06AM0.31m | 2:25PM0.33m | 2:59AM0.39m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | |
5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | 5:15 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 6 | E 13 | NE 7 | E 12 | NE 4 | ENE 7 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | ESE 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | ESE 12 |
6 | 6 | 23 | 16 | 4 | 19 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 81 | 198 | 347 | 432 | 496 | 435 | 435 | 265 | 173 | 125 | 78 | 49 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SSW 12 | S 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 12 | NE 7 | E 13 | E 16 | NE 7 | NE 3 | S 16 | SE 14 | ESE 8 | S 23 | SSE 23 | SE 7 | SE 17 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 18 |
3 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 14 | 46 | 8 | 1 | 122 | 51 | 11 | 10 | 51 | 11 | 71 | 19 | 18 | 64 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 12 | S 20 | — | E 13 | S 19 | S 19 | E 11 | E 13 | S 6 | S 15 | — | — | — | S 22 | S 9 | SSE 22 | SE 21 | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | SE 7 |
— | 14 | 8 | — | 14 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 1 | 17 | — | — | — | 89 | 60 | 47 | 17 | 25 | 70 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NE 4 | N 4 | NNW 3 | NE 3 | — | NNE 4 | — | WNW 3 | — | NNW 3 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | S 9 | — | — |
21 | 23 | 13 | 9 | 12 | — | 15 | — | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 211 | — | 364 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 8 | 36 | 260 | 31 | 22 | 35 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











