Surf Forecasts:
Tuhawaiki Point surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, ESE swell with 378 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tuhawaiki Point this week:
The surf forecast for Tuhawaiki Point over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tuhawaiki Point in the next 16 days are 1.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tuhawaiki Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Tuhawaiki Point. I’m not gonna lie, it’s a slow start, real slow. We’ve got a solid gap of a few days from Friday the 24th through to Saturday the 26th where the swell is just too small and the wind is messy. It’s a wait-and-see job, but stick with me.
The first real glimmer of hope shows up on Sunday morning the 26th. We’ve got a clean 2 ft wave from the ESE with a long period of 15 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is light offshore from the west, and the water is sitting at 49°F, which is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (136). It’s a subtle start, but it’s clean.
We then have a steady run of small, clean waves through the week, but nothing to get too excited about. The real standout is Tuesday morning the 28th. The swell bumps up to 3 ft from the ESE, with a consistent 13-second period. The wind is light cross-off from the NW, and the combined energy jumps to a strong 372. This is the pick of the first week – clean, fun, and with some proper push.
Looking further ahead, the second week brings a couple of interesting days. The first is Thursday the 6th of August. The afternoon goes glassy, with a calm wind and a 4 ft swell from the east (9-second period). The combined energy is strong (421). It’s a promising window.
But the real highlight, the one to circle on the calendar, is Friday morning the 7th of August. The swell jumps to 6 ft from the east, with a long 12-second period. The wind is light cross-off from the NNW, and the combined energy is a very strong 880. This is a proper swell, pushing into the 5 ft+ range, so it’s getting a bit much for the beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is the best on offer. The Tuhawaiki Point setup, being a point break, should handle this long-period groundswell beautifully. It’s a real standout.
The water temperature remains cool, about 49°F, which is pretty normal for the season. Crowds can be an issue at Tuhawaiki Point, so get in early on that Friday morning.
So, in short: a slow start, but a solid run of clean, fun waves from the 28th, with a cracker of a window on the morning of the 7th of August. That’s the one to chase.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 10°C on Fri morning, min 1°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat morning, calm by Sun morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 4°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | ESE 13 | S 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 5 | 16 | 22 | 54 | 29 | 103 | 125 | 163 | 158 | 151 | 137 | 220 | 372 | 372 | 378 | 307 | 286 | 218 | 160 | 157 | 144 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:49AM2.05m | 00:26AM2.06m | 12:31PM2.07m | 1:02AM2.11m | 1:13PM2.09m | 1:31AM2.15m | 1:56PM2.10m | 2:00AM2.18m | 2:39PM2.11m | 2:32AM2.17m | 3:19PM2.10m | 3:10AM2.14m | 3:57PM2.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:12PM0.68m | 6:21AM0.76m | 6:54PM0.68m | 7:06AM0.74m | 7:33PM0.71m | 7:49AM0.71m | 8:12PM0.74m | 8:29AM0.69m | 8:50PM0.75m | 9:09AM0.68m | 9:31PM0.73m | 9:48AM0.68m | 10:13PM0.70m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | |
 | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — |
 | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Feels °C | 6 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | SSE 4 | ESE 13 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 12 |
| kJ | 3 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 29 | 15 | 125 | 163 | 158 | 151 | 137 | 220 | 372 | 372 | 378 | 307 | 286 | 218 | 160 | 157 | 144 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | ESE 13 | E 7 | E 9 | ESE 15 | ESE 16 | SE 6 | SE 6 | S 7 | S 10 | S 12 | ESE 15 | S 10 | SSW 10 | S 14 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | NE 5 | ENE 7 | SSE 5 | SSE 14 |
| kJ | 5 | 16 | 3 | 6 | 21 | 103 | 11 | 5 | 38 | 47 | 3 | 201 | 8 | 10 | 16 | 24 | 28 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | S 15 | ESE 13 | E 20 | SE 18 | E 8 | S 14 | ENE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | — | S 11 | — | — | SSW 9 | — | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | S 16 | SSE 15 | S 13 |
| kJ | 1 | 4 | 16 | 7 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 40 | 33 | 30 | — | 37 | — | — | 8 | — | 94 | 21 | 43 | 21 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 4 | SSE 6 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | SSE 5 | — | NNW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 22 | 54 | 109 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 20 | 26 | 34 | — | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 172 | 87 | 151 | 112 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 107 | 88 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Tuhawaiki Point Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tuhawaiki Point provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tuhawaiki Point can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tuhawaiki Point 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 (Tuhawaiki Point) 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 Tuhawaiki Point 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.
Tuhawaiki Point is 5 km (3 miles) from the city of Timaru. If you plan a holiday in Canterbury, look for hotels and other accommodation in Timaru. Timaru has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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