Surf Forecast Surf Report

Papatowai surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Thursday 29 May 2025 NZST
Forecast update in 4hr 41 min 50 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
54.9°F
(Which is 4.7°F 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 Thursday (May 29) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 6ft and 12s period with a secondary swell of 2ft and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Papatowai in the next 12 days are 30ft 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 31) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 8ft 6s period and expected on Friday (May 30) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 29th May)6ft (1.9m) 12s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 31st May)23ft (7.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sat 31st May)30ft (9.0m) 16s

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

Updates in 4 hr 41 min 50 s Forecast update imminent
Thu
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tue
10
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (ft) & direction (?)
6
SW
6
SW
13
SW
16
SW
20
SW
30
SW
25
SW
21
SW
18
SW
15
SSW
10
SSW
11
WSW
11
SW
15
WSW
11
SW
10
SSW
8
SW
5
SW
5
SW
5
SSW
15
SW
13
SW
11
SW
20
SW
21
SW
16
SW
10
SW
8
S
5.5
S
3.5
SW
3
SSE
5.5
ENE
3.5
SW
3
SW
5
SSW
7
SW
Period(s) (?)12121011141616151413131312121314121111129991313131214131412816141917
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy (?)948933338059311401841024278741776911023664533993870350564074031369218246755725853455254919841198314829717521432448100338224430247135018082535
Wind
(mph)
5
SW
15
W
20
W
25
W
25
W
30
WSW
30
WSW
20
W
20
WSW
10
W
20
WNW
20
WNW
20
WNW
15
WNW
10
NW
10
NW
10
N
5
NE
5
ENE
5
SW
20
SW
15
WSW
10
W
10
WNW
15
SW
20
SSW
10
W
15
WSW
10
WNW
10
NNW
10
N
10
W
10
WNW
5
NW
10
NNW
20
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offoffoffoffcross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offcross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
glassglasscross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
crossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (ft)
4:42AM
6.46
5:17PM
6.73
5:39AM
6.23
6:14PM
6.43
6:37AM
5.97
7:12PM
6.1
7:36AM
5.74
8:10PM
5.84
8:36AM
5.54
9:07PM
5.64
9:33AM
5.41
10:01PM
5.51
10:27AM
5.38
10:50PM
5.45
11:15AM
5.41
11:36PM
5.41
12:00PM
5.51
12:18AM
5.45
12:43PM
5.64
12:59AM
5.51
1:24PM
5.77
1:39AM
5.58
Low Tide
/ height (ft)
10:39PM
0.59
10:59AM
0.33
11:37PM
0.79
11:58AM
0.56
12:35AM
0.98
12:57PM
0.79
1:33AM
1.12
1:55PM
1.02
2:28AM
1.25
2:50PM
1.18
3:21AM
1.31
3:42PM
1.31
4:09AM
1.35
4:30PM
1.38
4:54AM
1.38
5:16PM
1.44
5:37AM
1.38
6:00PM
1.44
6:18AM
1.35
6:43PM
1.44
6:59AM
1.28
7:26PM
1.41
7:41AM
1.25
Thu
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tue
10
Sunrise--8:12--8:14--8:15--8:15--8:15--8:17--8:18--8:18--8:18--8:19--8:21--8:22
Sunset5:06--5:05--5:04--5:04--5:02--5:02--5:01--5:01--5:00--5:00--5:00--5:00--
part cloudrain showersrain showerslight rainheavy rainlight rainlight rainrain showerslight rainpart cloudrain showerspart cloudpart cloudpart cloudpart cloudpart cloudpart cloudcloudcloudmod rainrain showerspart cloudlight rainpart cloudrain showerslight rainrain showerslight rainrain showerspart cloudpart cloudlight rainpart cloudpart cloudlight rainclear
Rain (in)
-0.20.20.20.50.10.10.20.0-0.0--------0.40.2-0.0-0.10.20.10.10.0--0.1--0.1-
Temp. °F505045454546465048505257575557595255555245454341434543464650484850525046
Feels °F (?)464330282828283436434146464650524552545032323432303432343741413946484134

Short Range Forecast: Heavy rain (total 1.5in), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 50°F on Thu afternoon, min 43°F on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Thu afternoon, near gales from the W by Fri night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 59°F on Tue afternoon, min 50°F on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sun night, calm by Tue night).

Days 6-9 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 1.0in), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 55°F on Wed afternoon, min 37°F on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the SSW by Fri night).

Long Range Forecast: Moderate rain (total 0.4in), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 52°F on Mon afternoon, min 41°F on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Tue afternoon).

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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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