Pauanui Beach surf forecast
Pauanui · Waikato · New Zealand
Nearly 3 km of sand from the Tairua harbour mouth south to Mt Pauanui. At the north end a left breaks off the bar by the harbour mouth, and the south end has a right; the banks in between move with each swell. It needs a north-east swell and a westerly, best at mid tide on the push. Currents are strong near the harbour entrance, so learners should stay in the middle and south of the beach. The surf club patrols in summer.
- Break
- beach break, peaks both ways; faces ENE
- Level
- beginner
- Best swell
- NE, E
- Best wind
- W, SW, NW (offshore)
- Best tide
- mid tide
- Season
- Late summer to spring (north-east swells)
- Typical size
- 0.5–2 m
- Crowd
- medium
- Hazards
- Strong currents and rips by the Tairua harbour mouth at the north end; Boats and jet skis in the harbour entrance; Swimmers in summer; Shark sightings have cleared the water (January 2021)
Pauanui Beach surf cams
- Pauanui North (NIWA Cam-Era (Earth Sciences New Zealand, free): From Paku, looking south over the harbour mouth and bar to the north end of Pauanui Beach
- Pauanui South (NIWA Cam-Era (Earth Sciences New Zealand, free): From the Mt Pauanui end, looking north along the whole beach to Paku
Nearby spots
- Tairua Ocean Beach, Tairua
- Whangamata Bar, Whangamata
- Whangamata Beach, Whangamata
- Matarangi
- Mokau
Questions
Is Pauanui Beach good for beginners?
Yes, on small days: it is a beach break that suits beginners. Watch out for: strong currents and rips by the tairua harbour mouth at the north end; boats and jet skis in the harbour entrance. Take a lesson or surf near the lifeguards if you are new.
What swell, wind and tide work best at Pauanui Beach?
NE, E swell, W, SW, NW wind (offshore), at mid tide. Typical size 0.5–2 m.
Live swell, wind, tide, a 14-day outlook, satellite pictures and webcams for Pauanui Beach are in the Surf Spoting app.