Surf Forecasts:
Motunau Beach surf forecast from 11 Jun 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 12 Jun, 12AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, SE swell with 75 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Motunau Beach this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Motunau Beach in the next 16 days are 0.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jun 12) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 17) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 12th Jun) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Motunau Beach over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Tue morning, near gales from the NW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thu 11 | Friday 12 | Saturday 13 | Sunday 14 | Monday 15 | Tuesday 16 | Wednesday 17 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | S 15 | SSW 3 | SSE 17 | S 16 | SE 11 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | ESE 12 | WSW 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
172 | 75 | 25 | 15 | 7 | 26 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 14 | 8 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:14AM1.69m | 1:47PM1.78m | 2:09AM1.74m | 2:42PM1.89m | 3:05AM1.79m | 3:38PM1.98m | 4:02AM1.83m | 4:35PM2.04m | 4:59AM1.86m | 5:32PM2.08m | 5:56AM1.87m | 6:29PM2.07m | 6:54AM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:03PM0.25m | 7:26AM0.17m | 7:59PM0.20m | 8:20AM0.11m | 8:58PM0.14m | 9:17AM0.05m | 9:57PM0.09m | 10:14AM-0.00m | 10:56PM0.05m | 11:13AM-0.04m | 11:55PM0.03m | 12:12PM-0.05m | 00:53AM0.01m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | |
4:58 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:58 | — | 4:58 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 13 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 13 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SE 11 | ENE 4 | SE 5 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | NE 3 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | ENE 4 | NE 8 |
172 | 75 | 25 | 15 | 3 | 26 | 18 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 11 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | SE 18 | SE 17 | SE 12 | SE 9 | — | SE 12 | E 13 | N 3 | SSE 17 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | ESE 12 | SSE 4 |
5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 13 | 12 | 6 | 3 | — | 6 | 3 | 1 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 14 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | SE 14 | — | — | SE 17 | SE 17 | SE 17 | S 16 | S 15 | SE 13 | SE 12 | S 16 | S 10 | SE 9 | E 13 | ESE 13 | SE 10 | SE 11 |
— | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | — | — | 12 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 4 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | — | — | — | — | N 3 | N 3 | SSW 3 | WSW 2 | WSW 3 | — | NNW 3 | N 4 | N 4 | — | WSW 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 13 | 27 | — | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 81 | 81 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 151 | 1 | 1 | 81 | 1 | 57 | 27 | 81 | 67 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
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Information about the Motunau Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Motunau Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Motunau Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Motunau Beach 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 (Motunau Beach) 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 Motunau Beach 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Canterbury? If you are looking for accommodation near Motunau Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Canterbury, consider staying in Christchurch which is 64 km (40 miles) away.











