
Surf Forecasts:
Boulders surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 18s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 20s period, S swell with 1,745 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 18s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Boulders this week:
The surf forecast for Boulders over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Boulders in the next 16 days are 1.5m 20s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (+13) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 20s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Boulders over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.
The forecast is a bit of a slow burn. We’ve got a solid stretch of nothing much to start, with poor conditions and messy winds through the first few days. The first real window of opportunity shapes up for Wednesday, July 23rd, and that’s where our attention goes.
The standout is Boulders, a consistent reef break that’s fairly exposed. It’s a spot for the advanced crew, so don’t be taking a foamie out there. Thursday morning, July 23rd, brings a clean 5 ft swell from the south with a long 18-second period, which is proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong, sitting at 1762. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore breeze, which is going to keep things pretty clean. By Thursday afternoon, it gets even better: the wind drops to a glassy 3 mph offshore, and the swell is still a solid 5 ft from the SSW with a 17-second period. The energy is still strong at 1507. That afternoon session is the pick of the entire forecast – clean, lined-up waves for experienced surfers. Keep in mind that this long period, straight-running swell can be a bit tricky on a beach break, but on a reef like Boulders, it’s going to hold up nicely. Crowds are possible here, so get there early.
Water temp is sitting at 81°F, which is about average for this time of year, so a springy shorty will be fine.
After that Thursday high, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions. From Friday the 24th right through to the end of the first week of August, the wind is mostly cross-onshore or onshore, and the quality is shot. There’s some swell energy popping up in the 1600-1900 range on a few days, but it’s all blown out. The 31st of July has a 7 ft swell from the ESE, but it’s a short-period 7-second windswell with a fresh cross-onshore breeze – lumpy and messy, not worth a paddle.
Further into the second week, around Sunday the 2nd of August, we see a 5 ft SW groundswell with a 16-second period and moderate energy (1688), but the wind is still cross-shore and fresh. It’s a promising sign that the ocean is trying to wake up, but it’s a long-range call and far from certain. For now, mark your calendar for Thursday the 23rd – that’s the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 25°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Tue morning, light winds from the NNE by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | S 22 | SSW 20 | S 19 | S 18 | S 17 | SSW 16 | S 20 | S 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1442 | 1197 | 1020 | 885 | 632 | 562 | 443 | 1745 | 1470 | 1175 | 882 | 627 | 501 | 498 | 422 | 260 | 505 | 670 | 544 | 657 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:08AM1.00m | 12:32PM0.91m | 1:04AM0.97m | 1:32PM0.86m | 1:59AM0.95m | 2:30PM0.83m | 2:50AM0.95m | 3:22PM0.82m | 3:37AM0.96m | 4:09PM0.82m | 4:20AM0.98m | 4:51PM0.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:24AM0.28m | 6:40PM0.28m | 7:28AM0.31m | 7:35PM0.32m | 8:29AM0.31m | 8:29PM0.33m | 9:23AM0.29m | 9:18PM0.32m | 10:09AM0.26m | 10:02PM0.31m | 10:50AM0.23m | 10:43PM0.28m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 23 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SSE 11 | S 20 | S 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
1442 | 1028 | 1020 | 781 | 121 | 181 | 242 | 1745 | 1470 | 1175 | 882 | 627 | 501 | 498 | 422 | 260 | 505 | 670 | 544 | 657 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 22 | SW 15 | S 19 | S 18 | S 17 | SSW 16 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SSE 14 | E 8 |
489 | 1197 | 365 | 885 | 632 | 562 | 443 | 200 | 220 | 104 | 129 | 62 | 62 | 112 | 95 | 85 | 62 | 61 | 195 | 48 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 24 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SSE 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | E 8 | E 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SSW 13 | S 13 | S 15 | SW 14 | E 8 | SW 13 |
787 | 471 | 327 | 322 | 502 | 416 | 273 | 89 | 72 | 228 | 142 | 184 | 65 | 99 | 108 | 123 | 161 | 132 | 61 | 109 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | S 5 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
177 | 146 | 441 | 261 | 89 | 124 | 164 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 868 | 1220 | 1209 | 577 | 62 | 62 | 62 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 866 | 133 | 108 | 62 | 22 | 22 | 105 | 105 | 105 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Upolu | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Samoa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Boulders Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Boulders provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Boulders can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Boulders 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 (Boulders) 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 Boulders 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 Otago? If you are looking for accommodation near Otago Peninsula - Boulder Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Otago, consider staying in Dunedin which is 9 km (6 miles) away.










