Tuhawaiki Point Surf Break

Lat Long: 44.45° S 171.26° E

Tuhawaiki Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Tuhawaiki Point sea temperature is
9.6° C
0.9° 

Tuhawaiki Point surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Tuhawaiki Point surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period, SE swell with 211 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Tuhawaiki Point in the next 16 days are 0.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Wed 19th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf12PM (Wed 19th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Thu 20th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tuhawaiki Point over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s cooking. We’re focused on Tuhawaiki Point, and to be honest, the next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag. There’s a real standout session early on, but after that, it’s a long, quiet stretch before a possible flicker of life right at the end. The water temp is sitting at 49°, which is about 2° warmer than average for this time of year, so nothing crazy, just a touch on the mild side.

The real highlight, the one you’d want to time your whole week around, is Wednesday morning, August 19th. We’ve got a clean 4 ft swell rolling in from the SE with a solid 14-second period – that’s genuine groundswell with some grunt. The combined energy is a solid 507, so there’s proper wave power in the water. Winds are glassy from the NW, just 3 mph, which means the surface will be like a mirror. With the swell coming from the SE, it’s matching the optimum direction for this point, and it’s going to set up some nice, long lines. Expect very good conditions. This is for advanced surfers given the size and power, but it’s a proper session.

The rest of the first week drops off fast. That Wednesday afternoon sees the wind swing onshore, and the swell drops to 3 ft with a short 9-second period – poor. Thursday through Sunday of that week are all small and weak, with combined energy barely cracking 100. The swell is tiny, mostly under 2 ft, and the winds are either cross or cross-on. Not worth the paddle.

You’ve then got a gap from the 20th of August right through to the morning of the 27th, where the surf is just flat or garbage. Nothing is recommended for nearly a week.

Then, things perk up a little. Thursday afternoon, August 27th, brings a bit of hope. We’re looking at 4 ft from the east, with a short 8-second period and glassy conditions. The combined energy jumps to 269, which is moderate, and the wind is dead calm (glass). This is a good surf option, but the short period means it’ll be a bit weaker and more walled up than the earlier groundswell. Still, it’s a clean, fun-sized wave.

After that, the end of the month and into early September is a desert. The swell is mostly below 2 ft, the combined energy is weak (mostly under 100), and the winds are all over the place. There’s a little blip on Wednesday morning, September 2nd, with 2 ft and a very long 16-second period, giving a combined energy of 259, but the wind is light cross-shore, and the period is so long it might be too straight for this point. It’s a marginal call.

So, the bottom line: the best on offer is that Wednesday morning, August 19th. It’s a clear standout. The rest is a long wait for that Thursday afternoon, August 27th, which is a decent second option. For the most part, you’ll be sitting this one out.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 6°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Sat night, light winds from the NW by Mon night).

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SE
14
0.8
SE
9
0.8
SE
7
0.6
SE
7
0.3
SE
16
0.5
SE
16
0.4
SE
12
0.4
SE
11
0.4
SE
10
0.3
SE
10
0.2
SSE
10
0.2
ESE
14
0.2
ESE
14
0.4
SSE
12
0.4
SSE
16
0.4
SSE
15
0.4
SSE
15
0.4
SSE
16
0.4
SE
14
0.3
SSE
14
0.2
SSE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
466
93
65
37
41
121
37
31
28
16
9
20
18
56
95
89
87
97
53
38
20
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
10
E
5
NNE
0
W
10
ENE
10
N
10
N
15
ENE
15
WNW
15
NNW
15
N
40
NW
25
WNW
25
WNW
20
NW
15
NW
15
NW
15
NW
15
NNW
20
NW
5
SSE
Wind State
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
9:13PM1.95m
9:29AM2.03m
10:13PM1.99m
10:22AM2.03m
11:08PM2.04m
11:11AM2.06m
11:56PM2.08m
11:57AM2.09m
00:38AM2.10m
12:42PM2.11m
1:16AM2.10m
1:25PM2.11m
1:50AM2.10m
Low Tide
2:34PM0.69m
3:00AM0.77m
3:28PM0.73m
4:01AM0.82m
4:32PM0.74m
4:58AM0.84m
5:34PM0.73m
5:50AM0.83m
6:26PM0.70m
6:36AM0.79m
7:10PM0.68m
7:19AM0.75m
7:48PM0.64m
clear
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clear
part cloud
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part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:20
7:18
7:16
7:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:59
 mm
1
Temp °C
12
12
9
8
9
8
9
12
9
14
16
11
14
15
12
15
17
11
17
18
9
Feels °C
9
9
8
7
6
5
5
8
5
10
12
3
7
8
6
10
13
6
11
14
2
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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