Surf Forecast Surf Report

Papatowai surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Saturday 22 Feb 2025 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Papatowai surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Papatowai sea temperature is
15.8° C
(Which is 3.0°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Papatowai this week:

The surf forecast for Papatowai over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Feb 22) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Papatowai in the next 12 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 26) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Feb 25) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 22nd Feb)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Best Surf 1PM (Wed 26th Feb)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 7PM (Wed 26th Feb)11ft (3.5m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papatowai over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
01
Sunday
02
Monday
03
Tuesday
04
Wednesday
05
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
SW
3
SW
3
SW
2.5
SW
2.4
SW
2
SSW
1.7
SSW
1.3
SW
1
SW
0.8
SW
0.6
SW
2.4
WSW
3
WSW
3.5
SW
3.5
SW
3
SW
2.4
SW
1.8
SW
1.6
SW
1.6
SW
1.5
SW
1.3
SW
1.3
SW
1.6
SW
1.9
WSW
3.5
WSW
6
SW
6
SW
5.5
SW
4.5
SW
4
SW
3.5
SW
2.1
SW
1.6
SW
1.2
SW
1.6
SW
Period(s) (?)1111121212131313121212781314131312121313131414131317181816151413131212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy (?)28022357239720011655131798358129117889543107244704399271918929396507777105297361033126435301956922920168749344608649431468784430706
Wind
(km/h)
25
W
25
WSW
15
WSW
15
W
20
WSW
10
WNW
5
NW
10
E
10
N
15
W
25
WSW
25
W
30
W
30
W
20
WSW
15
W
15
WSW
10
N
0
E
15
E
10
NW
5
N
10
ENE
15
N
30
W
20
W
20
W
30
W
30
WSW
25
WNW
25
WNW
30
W
20
WNW
10
NW
25
W
5
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offglassoncrossoffoffoffoffoffoffoffoffcrossglassoncross-
off
crosscross-
on
crossoffoffoffoffoffoffoffoffoffcross-
off
offglass
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:54AM
1.46
11:31PM
1.57
11:53AM
1.52
12:25AM
1.66
12:43PM
1.61
1:12AM
1.77
1:28PM
1.73
1:56AM
1.89
2:11PM
1.84
2:39AM
1.99
2:54PM
1.96
3:23AM
2.07
3:39PM
2.04
4:07AM
2.11
4:25PM
2.09
4:53AM
2.10
5:13PM
2.10
5:41AM
2.05
6:05PM
2.06
6:32AM
1.97
7:01PM
1.99
7:29AM
1.87
8:03PM
1.90
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:08PM
0.60
5:44AM
0.60
6:01PM
0.52
6:34AM
0.52
6:49PM
0.40
7:20AM
0.41
7:35PM
0.26
8:04AM
0.29
8:20PM
0.13
8:48AM
0.18
9:05PM
0.01
9:32AM
0.09
9:51PM
-0.05
10:17AM
0.03
10:40PM
-0.06
11:05AM
0.02
11:30PM
-0.02
11:55AM
0.06
12:25AM
0.07
12:50PM
0.12
1:24AM
0.19
1:51PM
0.21
2:29AM
0.31
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
01
Sunday
02
Monday
03
Tuesday
04
Wednesday
05
Sunrise7:05--7:05--7:07--7:09--7:11--7:11--7:13--7:15--7:16--7:18--7:20--7:20--
Sunset-8:45--8:43--8:40--8:38--8:37--8:36--8:34--8:31--8:30--8:28--8:25--8:24-
rain showersrain showersrain showersrain showersclearclearclearpart cloudlight rainlight rainpart cloudpart cloudcloudclearpart cloudpart cloudclearclearclearclearclearpart cloudcloudpart cloudpart cloudclearrain showersrain showerspart cloudpart cloudpart cloudclearclearclearpart cloudpart cloud
Rain (mm)
2122----12----------------81--------
Temp. °C141613141511171715151512141713181915192015192014171917131413181916212218
Feels °C (?)911910109161413131068118141614171714191813121512667121312171716

Short Range Forecast: Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, light winds from the N by Thu night).

Days 6-9 Weather Summary Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the W by Sat night).

Long Range Forecast: Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon morning, calm by Wed night).

  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 Papatowai Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Papatowai provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Papatowai can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Papatowai 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 (Papatowai) 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 Papatowai 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.

Papatowai is 88 km (55 miles) from the city of Invercargill. If you plan a holiday in Catlins, look for hotels and other accommodation in Invercargill. Invercargill has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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